A VICTIM of domestic abuse yesterday saved her violent partner from a lengthy prison sentence by telling a judge she forgave him and wanted him back.

Jenny Lester wrote a letter to Judge Peter Armstrong to tell him how much she loved wife beater Harry Lancaster - a 46-year-old alcoholic she lived with.

Two months ago, Ms Lester needed staples in a head wound after Lancaster attacked her with a chair leg at their home in Easington Colliery, east Durham.

The former landlady also suffered a broken finger in the attack which Lancaster launched after he smashed his way in through a boarded-up window.

Prosecutor Richard Cowan told Teesside Crown Court yesterday that 56-year-old Ms Lester locked her lover out because he had been on a drinking session.

Following the attack, Lancaster went to a neighbour's home on the Wembley estate and told her what he had done, and asked her to help Ms Lester.

The neighbour saw the amount of blood in the house and wanted to call an ambulance, but Lancaster asked her not to because that would mean the police getting involved.

Mr Cowan said paramedics were summoned and Ms Lester was taken to hospital while Lancaster was arrested and told police he had little recollection of the attack.

Roy Mitchell, mitigating, handed letters from Ms Lester and Lancaster to the judge, and told the court that she had been writing to her partner while he was in jail on remand.

"It is quite clear she forgives him and it is quite clear she would welcome him back," said Mr Mitchell. "Fortunately, Ms Lester has made a full recovery."

Mr Mitchell said the couple plan to move away from the North-East after Lancaster's release, seek help for their alcohol problems, and start a new life.

Lancaster, of John Street, Easington Colliery, admitted causing grievous bodily harm on June 2, and was jailed for eight months.