A pub landlady who helped a woman after discovering her bloodied and beaten is to have her public spirited actions formally commended.

Alison Barwise, who is licensee at the Three Tons pub in Whitehaven, sprang into action after spotting Claire Trueman in a distressed state in the street, her face covered with blood after she was viciously assaulted.

She looked after Ms Trueman and helped her get to the local police station.

At Carlisle Crown Court, the victim's former husband Shaun Trueman, 48, of Skiddaw Crescent, Distington, who admitted assaulting her and causing her actual bodily harm and stealing her £150 of benefits cash.

Brendan Burke, prosecuting, said Ms Trueman and the defendant had been out together in St Bees on the day of the attack, Saturday, October 29. They had argued about him spending time with another woman.

Ms Trueman believed he was not supposed to see her.

Mr Burke said the two of them tended to drink to excess together. At some point, said Mr Burke, the defendant took the £150 from his former wife's pocket, and then later visited her at her home.

“He became violent,” said Mr Burke.

“She described him punching her to the face numerous times, and photographs taken by the police show bruising to other parts of her body. She was found on the street by a member of the public, Alison Barwise.

“Ms Trueman was visibly distressed, and covered in blood. She told Miss Barwise that her husband had battered her.”The Good Samaritan had then taken the victim to a nearby police station. Her arrival there was caught on a police officers' head camera. The image, shown in court, showed Ms Trueman, her face and hands smeared in blood, struggling to say upright.

She had cuts to her right eye and forehead.

When arrested, the defendant faked a seizure in the police van and had to be taken to hospital, where he was judged to be fit and well, said Mr Burke. During the journey to the police station he threatened violence.

Ms Trueman had not supported a prosecution and has now moved to Manchester.

Greg Hoare, for the defendant, said the reason for the attack remained shrouded in mystery. There was no reason for Shaun Trueman not to spend time with that other woman, despite the view of his former wife.

He said the defendant suffered various medical conditions, and had long been an abuser of alcohol. Conquering that would be a key to him having a better future.

Passing sentence, Judge Barbara Forrester said Trueman's attack had been mean and despicable. “She ended up covered in blood and very distressed,” said the judge.

Noting that he had been in custody for two months on remand, and that he wanted to build on his enforced alcohol abstinence while in prison, she imposed ten months jail, suspended for two years with a 25 day rehabilitation requirement. He must also repay his victim's stolen £150.

The judge added: “There will be a High Sherriff's award to Miss Barwise of £50 for her public spirited involvement to ensure the victim received the help she obviously required.”