A Carlisle mum was scarred for life, had to move house and change her phone number after an attack by her drunken ex-partner.

On the evening of July 1, 32-year-old Craig Boyd was having some drinks with the woman in the living room of her property. Her daughters were upstairs with friends, the city’s magistrates’ court heard.

“Mr Boyd is described as being extremely drunk having drunk a bottle of vodka, a bottle of wine and a number of bottles of lager,” said George Shelley, prosecuting.

Boyd asked to charge his phone at 3am but was told there weren’t enough charge points available, and to choose between his device and a fan.

“It is at that point she describes the defendant flips,” said Mr Shelley.

The woman was left reeling by an attack from Boyd which ‘caught her completely by surprise’.

“She could feel a sharp and horrible pain to her face,” said the prosecutor. “It felt as though bones in her face were broken. Blood was pouring from her left eye.”

The woman asked for assistance and told Boyd to leave. On arrival at hospital she was described as ‘highly intoxicated’. She had suffered a swollen nose, a swollen forehead and eyebrow laceration which was glued.

“It appears to be a single blow in drink,” said Mr Shelley. “A doctor in her statement recounts from the woman that she believed it was a single blow by a punch to the face.”

In an impact statement, the woman said her children were ‘petrified’ to stay or live in the house. They had since moved and she had changed her phone number.

“The assault has also left a scar on my face that I will have for the rest of my life,” she stated. “When I leave the house I do always carry the fear in the back of mind that he will approach or come after me again.”

Boyd, of Meadow View, Carlisle, admitted actual bodily harm assault. “He does feel there was some general provocation by her,” said Steven Marsh, defending. “He acted inappropriately and caused an injury. In his (police) interview he said he very much regretted that.”

Magistrates adjourned the case, asking for a pre-sentence report. Boyd was bailed, is due to be punished on December 20 and heard all options – including a jail term – would be considered.