A JUDGE who jailed a man for domestic violence, said his girlfriend was foolish for wanting him back.

Michelle Shepherdson tried to stop the case against Brian Robinson, 23, even though he had attacked her before.

She was covered in bruises with a bite mark on her back when a police surgeon examined her after Robinson, of Meryl Gardens, Hartlepool, flew into a drunken rage.

He accused her of winding him up, knocked her to the floor of his home with punches, stuck a finger into her eye, and bit her on the back, said Patricia Mancina, prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

He ripped her mobile phone from her hand as she took a call from a friend, removed the SIM card and bit it, the court was told.

Miss Shepherdson, who was left lying on the floor, went to a neighbour's house and phoned the police. But a fortnight later she made a retraction statement, said Paul Cleasby, mitigating. They are now reconciled.

She was interviewed by officers from the domestic violence team. Robinson later admitted the attack, even though he knew that Miss Shepherdson did not want to be a witness.

Mr Cleasby said: "The offence itself was unpleasant, but although it lasted a short time, it was not a sustained attack.

"It would appear that she has forgiven him and they are working hard to make the relationship work."

Judge David Bryant told Robinson: "It was an exceedingly unpleasant offence which involved you in sinking your teeth into your partner.

"Clearly, you are all too ready to use violence. You have to be taught a lesson. If she is foolish enough that she will have you back, that is her decision."

Robinson was jailed for eight months after he pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm assault and criminal damage on August 18.