A BULLYING boyfriend who laughed as he whipped his partner over the head with a heavy dog chain while she cradled a baby has been jailed for three years.

John Airey was told by a judge to seek help for his emotional and alcohol problems.

A court heard how Airey, 30, left Lorraine Watson covered in blood with gaping head wounds after the savage attack at their Darlington home on March 29.

For weeks before the assault, jealous Airey subjected 25-year-old Miss Watson – his partner for seven months– to physical and emotional abuse.

In February, he punched her in the face while she held an eight-month-old child and knocked her to the floor, Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court.

Airey told Miss Watson that he was disgusted with himself about his behaviour, the court heard.

Miss Watson’s parents and the police were called to the couple’s home in Kirkby Close, in the early hours.

The next morning, he persuaded Miss Watson to allow him to return to the house, but after being told the relationship was over, Airey went berserk.

He grabbed the dog lead from the kitchen and repeatedly lashed Miss Watson, leaving imprints from the chains across her body, Mr Dodds told the court.

Their child was also hurt in the attack and Miss Watson, who was petrified and screaming for help, fled bare-footed to a neighbour’s home for help.

Airey pleaded guilty to charges of assault against the child, wounding Miss Watson with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and putting her in fear of violence by harassment.

His barrister, Paul Abrahams, told the court that he did not intend to harm the child, and that he is determined to address his excessive alcohol consumption.

The court was told that Airey has ten convictions for attacking police officers, two for common assault, and three for harassing former lovers.