A woman who forgave her boyfriend for smashing her face failed to save him from jail yesterday.

Claire Corner, 28, sobbed in court as Paul Jones,32, was jailed for eight months after he admitted fracturing her cheekbone and eyesocket with punches.

Judge Leslie Spittle at Teesside Crown Court told Jones, from Hartlepool, that the courts had a duty to protect women.

Prosecutor Xanthe Craddock said that the couple had returned to Miss Corner's home from a night out drinking when they had an argumentand he became violent.

Jones, who was wearing a large pointed ring, knocked her to the floor and then straddled her body pinning down her arms as he continued to punch her numerous times.

Andrew Holmes, defending, said that Jones had shown genuine remorse and the couple were reconciled. She was in court and was prepared to speak in support of him.

Jones of Westbourne Road, Hartlepool, was visibly shaken when he was jailed for eight months after he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on June 13.