Man beat, bit and banged wife's head against wall as infant children watched

Stewart Malsbury pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily and was locked up for 14 months.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how, on June 1, a drunk Malsbury broke into the home of his estranged wife through an insecure back door and launched the attack.

At the time the, 32-year-old was out on bail for a charge of battery from April 20, also relating to his estranged wife.

The court heard that Malsbury, of Merryhurst Road, Wednesbury, has 16 convictions, many for battery, but also assault occasioning actual bodily harm and robbery.

During sentencing, Judge James Burbidge QC said: "You resorted to type, your previous convictions show me you show a disturbing behaviour to women you are in a relationship with and no respect.

"You were prepared to act in a cowardly manner by attacking them or causing them injury."

Malsbury had been ordered to complete a domestic abuse programme previously, which 'clearly did not have any real effect', Judge Burbidge said.

"You clearly have an unhealthy attitude towards women and the court must protect them from you," he continued.

"This was a sustained or repeated assault against your partner, and you ultimately used your feet to kick her after hitting her head against the wall, and as I understand biting her in your drunken state."

A victim impact statement read to the court says the victim and her children have left the home as she does not feel safe there, and one of the children has had nightmares since witnessing the attack, crying out 'stop it, don't do it, I don't like it'.

The couple's children are aged four, three and one.

Mr Oliver Woolhouse, mitigating, said Malsbury had no excuse for his behaviour, and did not seek to put any before the court.

He said: "It is clear he has had difficulty dealing with disputes in relationships, in particular when relationships had ended.

"He acknowledges that he is an alcoholic and he needs to get help. Unfortunately, to say the least, when these two things have come together it has often resulted in periods of violent behaviour."

Mr Woolhouse said Malsbury had 'very little recollection' of what happened, but had asked to be sentenced straight away so his family could return to their home knowing he 'won't be at liberty'.

Judge Burbidge sentenced Malsbury to 14 months' jail and he will be subject to a restraining order for five years.