A WEST Cumbrian man has been given a suspended prison term for subjecting his now former partner to violence, which including biting her while they were in bed.

Workington man Mark Newton, 51, described as having a persistent problem with alcohol, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court after he admitted three offences, all against the same victim: harassment, an assault by beating, and an actual bodily harm assault.

The court heard that the less serious of the two assaults happened on the evening of October 13 last year. It consisted of Newton striking his then partner with an empty vodka bottle.

He used it to hit the woman on the chest and legs and then elbowed her in the face.

Early the next morning, while the defendant was in bed with the woman, he twice bit her on the shoulder, causing what Judge Nicholas Barker said were “deeply unpleasant” and painful injuries.

The harassment offence, the court heard, consisted of Newton repeatedly making unwanted calls to the same woman. Over the space of five hours on February 17, Newton called the woman 15 times.

Judge Barker accepted that there were no other examples of domestic violence on Newton’s record.

“All through the pre-sentence report, the author observes that this man’s problem is drink,” said the judge.

This was obvious from the defendant’s “shambolic” presentation in court.

Anthony Parkinson, defending, said: “Going back many, many years, he was a hard-working man. He and then wife had owned three properties locally. But he had then divorced, “hit the bottle” and lost his job as a roofer.

“His life has never been the same again,” said Mr Parkinson. “It's been 20 years or so of drink.”

Judge Barker said that the defendant’s pre-sentence report showed that he had sought to deflect responsibility for his actions.

Despite being given bail conditions after his arrest to not contact the victim, he persistently tried to do so, no doubt because he was drunk , said the judge.

Referring to the victim, Judge Barker said: “It’s clear that this has had an impact on her. She’s now scared and anxious, particularly of you and that is a result of your activity.

"You have caused a grown woman to be scared and anxious and that’s a consequence of your actions.”

As the judge passed sentence, Newton, of Alexander Close, Workington, repeatedly attempted to interrupt, mumbling comments, prompting the judge to tell him to be silent and to listen.

The judge continued: “You have demonstrated a persistent problem with alcohol, which you have yet to deal with.”

Judge Barker imposed a one-year sentence, suspended for two years. The sentence includes 10 rehabilitation activity days and a three-month alcohol treatment requirement.

A three-year restraining order bans Newton from contacting the victim or going to the street where she lives. “This is your last chance,” warned the judge.