A MAN was jailed for 26 weeks for attacking his partner five times in a month and shouted “love you lots” to her as the judge issued his sentence.

Neil Jones, 31, of Bishop’s Frome, near Ledbury, appeared by video link at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Friday (February 27) and admitted assaulting Lisa Amphlett by beating her at a flat in the city’s Park Street between January 21 and February 20.

In one attack, he was wearing a plaster cast when he hit her in the face, while in others he kicked out and grabbed her.

The first offence happened on Wednesday, January 21, followed by further incidents on Saturday, January 31, Thursday, February 19, and two on Friday, February 20.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said: “She initially did not want to pursue matters and does not want the relationship to end. In none of the incidents did she suffer serious injuries. The most police have seen is bruising.

“During the first incident she woke him up and he lost his temper. She had been in touch with a former partner and that led to some violence towards her.

“On January 31, she had reddening round her eye and bruising to her neck. She said an argument had taken place. He hit her to the right-hand side of her face and had a plaster cast on.

“The next time he was helping her fill out a housing benefit form and started shouting and swearing at her. There were then kicks towards her chest. She slapped him and he left, causing damage as he left.

“On February 20 he pushed his way into the flat and a friend of Miss Amphlett called the police. Again he kicked out at her to the left, lower leg, causing her some pain and discomfort.

“He returned and she told him she didn’t want to talk to him. He grabbed her by the waist and threw her, causing bruising. She wants some protection, but she still wants to see him.”

In mitigation for Jones, Barry Newton said: “The incidents thankfully resulted in few injuries. He has been remanded in custody, allowing him to reflect more on these matters.

“This is an extremely volatile relationship. Both these individuals are sensitive and emotional people and the only way forward for this couple is for people to make changes. In interview he does refer to excessive alcohol consumption on both sides and he did enter timely guilty pleas.”

Jones also admitted fraud, having tricked a shop into giving him a refund for an Xbox computer game.

District judge Nigel Cadbury said: “The assaults are very serious, taking place day after day within about four weeks.

“You are a violent man, you committed the offences on bail and failed to comply with a community order. It appears your victim still loves you. Sometimes however a victim needs protection from themselves.”

Mr Cadbury sentenced Jones to 24 weeks in prison for the assaults and two weeks for the fraud.

“You will now have further time to reflect on your disgraceful behaviour and total lack of self-control, and it will give the victim time to reflect on whether you are worth it.”

Jones was banned from going to Ms Amphlett’s flat.

“This means she has got a safe haven where she can go but it still allows them to meet at other places”, stated the district judge.