A man who terrorised his partner for several months in a campaign of bullying and abuse has been jailed.

Kane Martin was arrested after he kicked and spat at the woman when she refused to go out and buy him booze but she told police this was just the latest assault she had suffered at his hands.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 36-year-old’s behaviour changed when he couldn’t find work and turned to alcohol.

Elisha Marsay, prosecuting, said neighbours called the police in March when they heard a woman screaming and a young girl shouting ‘get off my mam’.

She told the court that Martin first became violent in July last year when he kicked the woman in the face and broke her nose leaving the victim requiring corrective surgery to help her breathe.

Miss Marsay added: “In October, the defendant hit the woman to the back of the head with a wine bottle causing a small laceration. She attended hospital for the wound to be cleaned and glued.”

The Northern Echo: Kane MartinKane Martin (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Martin, formerly of Eastbourne Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one of common assault between July last year and March this year.

Jonathan Gittins, mitigating, said his client’s remand in custody had given him the ‘wakeup call’ to address his alcohol problem.

“He has expressed considerable shame to me,” he said. “He knows the relationship is over and done with and wants to move on with his life and wants her to move on with hers.”

Recorder Taryn Turner branded Martin a ‘violent thug and bully’ as she jailed him for 16-months.

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“The police were alerted to your bad behaviour,” she said. “On each occasion, the complainant in relation to your violence was your former partner.

“You are a violent thug and bully, and in drink you are quite capable of raising your feet and lashing out and causing not insignificant injuries.

“The last offence occurred in front of her daughter who you threatened to kick in the head.”

Martin was also made subject to a five-year restraining order.