A WHITEHAVEN woman whose partner bit her finger and hit her on the head with a rock said the attack was like "being tortured".

A Carlisle Crown Court judge who saw photos of victim Angel Paris Jordan after the 10-minute attack described her injuries as "horrific" and said the images showed the fear and horror she had felt.

In court, Scott Waddington, 46, admitted an assault causing actual bodily harm.

The victim's ordeal began on May 29 last year when the couple were in a car and the defendant, of Duke Street, Whitehaven, became angry and began driving erratically.

Once at his property, he again became angry.

During the attack that followed, as Miss Paris Jordan tried to push Waddington away, he bit one of her fingers. She said he had "bitten hard".

"She described it as feeling like she was being tortured," said prosecutor David Traynor. She recalled lying on the ground outside, unsure how she got there.

She also recalled Wadding hitting her with a rock.

When arrested, the defendant admitted punching her to the face but denied using the rock, though a bloodstained rock was recovered nearby by police.

Sean Harkin, for Waddington, said what happened was out of character.

"Clearly, at the time of this offence, the relationship was under significant stress," said the lawyer.

"The victim had admitted to spending a night with one of the defendant's friends. He's not dealt well with that, though that doesn't excuse his actions."

The lawyer said Waddington - who did voluntary work with a local foodbank - was remorseful.

Recorder Richard Archer told Waddington: "I have seen the photos of Angel Paris Jordan and they are horrific.

"Sometimes, injury photographs of victims before they are cleaned up in hospital can overstate the position. But it's not just the injuries themselves.

"I can perceive from those photographs the fear and the horror on your victim's face, writ large on those photographs."

She appeared emotionally as well as physically beaten and Waddington should be thoroughly ashamed, said the judge.

Recorder Archer said it was to the defendant's credit that he had called the police but he noted the attack happened in a domestic setting. Recorder Archer imposed a 12 month jail term, suspending it for two years. Waddington must complete up to 20 days of rehabilitation and do 180 hours of unpaid work. The defendant admitted the assault causing actual bodily harm as an alternative to a more serious assault.