A ‘CHILLING’ audio recording of a young Bromsgrove woman being beaten up by her boyfriend was played at Worcester Crown Court on Friday.

Complainant Sophie Bates, whose age and address were not given in court, recorded her ordeal on her mobile phone, and could be heard screaming and begging 20-year-old Daniel Cooper to stop during the attack outside her home on March 31.

The recording featured Miss Bates screaming, crying and shouting “leave me alone”, “stop it” and “get off me” as Cooper, of Stone Lane, Kinver, shouted “I want to talk to you” and “I love you”.

Neighbours then come to the woman’s aid and another woman can be heard to say, “what’s happening darling?”

Cooper had already admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and driving with excess alcohol when he appeared to be sentenced on May 19.

Lee Egan, prosecuting, said Cooper had drunk three pints of lager, two Jägerbombs, a bottle of beer and some alcopops before he drove Miss Bates home.

She suffered a series of injuries, including a cut to her lip and bruising to the top of her nose, in the attack.

Mr Egan said: "A neighbour said she was dragged about by the hair and, while on the floor, was kicked repeatedly to the upper part of her body and head 10 times."

He said Cooper was seen to withdraw towards his car before the attack resumed, when he grabbed her around the throat, leaving the scene when neighbours came out.

Police visited Cooper at his home and a breath test revealed 71mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - more than twice the legal limit.

In her victim personal statement, Miss Bates said she was fearful she would bump into him and struggled with depression.

Charles Hamer, defending, said Cooper had pleaded guilty to both matters in magistrates’ court.

Cooper had been adopted and so could often have a sense of insecurity and loss, he said.

“It’s an egregious offence, graphically recorded in terms of the audio we have heard in this courtroom today. It’s plain the young woman was terrified by what was going on.

“That is acknowledged by this defendant. It does appear this was an isolated though most serious incident,” Mr Hamer told the court.

Cooper also sent nine Snapchat messages to Miss Bates on May 9, which breached the terms of his bail.

In one message, Cooper told Miss Bates he did not know what had caused his behaviour, adding, “I’m so sorry for everything.”

In another, he said: “You’re incredible. You’re so strong. I’m so proud of you. I was proud of you for filming it. You’re a genius. I love you to bits."

Judge Nicholas Cole, sentencing, said: "This was a nasty offence of assault committed against your girlfriend outside her property.

"The court has heard the chilling sound of her distress on the tape recording on her phone. You continued this assault over a period of time.

"It was not a single blow. You kicked her a number of times to the body and head. That places it in the highest category when you consider the level of culpability on the basis this was a sustained attack with a shod foot.

"The effect on her will be ongoing. She suffered grazing, bruises, lumps and swelling. She feels scared going out."

Cooper was sentenced to 12 months in a young offender's institution, suspended for 18 months.

He was fined £200, placed on an electronically-monitored curfew for the next six months and was given an 18-month driving ban. He must also take part in the 'Building Better Relationships' programme and 30 days of rehabilitation activities.