A JUDGE has imposed a suspended prison sentence on a man who attacked his partner twice in the space of a few days.

Brian Robert Miller, 57, who had denied both offences, was convicted of two common assaults on Bobbie Broughton after a trial at Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates Court.

John Moran, outlining the case, told District Judge Gerald Chalk the victim had been in a relationship with him since she was 18 or 19, but she described his behaviour as "controlling" and intermittently violent.

The first assault happened after she banged a door on a day in May. The defendant, of Prescott Road, Longsowerby, then ran down the stairs at their home and twice punched her to the head.

"She suffers from fits and was concerned about being hit to the head," said Mr Moran, who then described the next assault.

It happened on May 23 when the defendant again reacted violently after she made a loud noise - this time as she got out of bed and banged her feet on the floor. He had kicked her, said Mr Moran.

The lawyer then quoted from Miss Broughton's victim statement.

She said: "When things are good I am happy with Brian. But he started to hook up with another woman and he's started to be funny with me since then. She said he was mean to her and she felt depressed.

"I desperately want my own place and want to move on," she said. "I don't think we can carry on the way we were going."

She also wanted a restraining order, said Mr Moran, who described Miss Broughton as a vulnerable victim.

Miller was also convicted of a battery offence against the same victim in September of last year when he was given a 12-month conditional discharge. On that occasion, he pushed her and grabbed her throat.

John Smith, for Miller, stressed that the kick in the second assault was without the defendant wearing shoes. He said the defendant was a full-time carer for his son and had no intention of contacting Miss Broughton.

"There is no significant violence in this case," he added.

Judge Chalk said he took a serious view of the assaults, which were a clear breach of trust, by a man with a history of using violence.

He imposed 70 days jail, suspending the sentence for 12 months. In addition, he gave Miller an eight week 8pm to 6am curfew, which will be electronically monitored, along with £600 costs, and £300 compensation for the victim.

The judge imposed 30 days of rehabilitation and a three-year restraining order banning Miller from contacting Miss Broughton in any way.