Thug broke lover's nose in jealous rage
A jealous man broke his partner's nose in an 'awful' unprovoked attack because he was worried she was involved with other men, a court heard.
The attack in Bloxwich left Marc Hayward's girlfriend with broken bones sticking out through the skin of her nose, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
She was left 'ashamed and embarrassed' after he punched her in the face, and still suffers headaches as a result nearly four months on.
Hayward, of Birchills Street, Walsall, admitted unlawful wounding and was jailed for 16 months.
The court heard how 31-year-old Hayward had been released from jail around 10 days before launching the attack.
Both he and his partner were 'serious drinkers, with Hayward alcohol dependent', according to Miss Samantha Powis, prosecuting.
The pair had been together for two decades but only on a serious basis for six years, the court heard.
Miss Powis said Hayward was 'jealous of his partner's imagined relationship with the other man'.
He warned her that her nose was too long and he could break it so nobody would want her - just days before attacking her in June.
Miss Powis said: "The pair were walking home from Bloxwich when Hayward became abusive, referring again to the victim's nose being too long.
"Then he punched her in the face with his fist.
"She was knocked sick and began bleeding profusely straight away and Hayward began shouting at her.
"Two witnesses came to her immediate assistance then he took off his t-shirt, discarded it and walked off."
Mr Oliver Woolhouse, defending, said: "He has a clear, long-standing difficulty with drugs and alcohol.
"He knows it's something he has to address in the future."
Mr Woolhouse said Hayward had been sober since he was remanded in custody after the incident and sought help from alcohol services in prison.
Judge Mark Eades jailed Hayward for 16 months and also imposed a restraining order banning him from any direct or indirect contact with his former partner.
Judge Eades said Hayward had 'a shocking record' of past offences.
"The assault on your partner was awful," he said.
"I've seen the photographs and the injuries are distressing.
"That was all done by you in attempt to disfigure her because of your jealousy."
