A CARLISLE biscuit factory worker has been remanded in custody after he assaulted his estranged wife, leaving her with black eyes.

Marius Popa, 32, who claimed he was also subjected to violence from the victim, pleaded guilty an actual bodily harm assault, causing criminal damage to the woman’s phone, and stalking her over several days.

At the city’s Rickergate court, prosecutor Diane Jackson outlined the facts.

She said Popa and his wife had been living in a large town house in Carlisle and on March 25, the day of the assault, she walked into the communal kitchen "in a distressed state", shaking, crying and hysterical.

Mrs Jackson said: “She had black eyes, swollen hands and wrists and she demonstrated a punching motion towards her head, face and legs.

"She said her husband had hit and punched her. She said he had smashed her phone, taken her ID cards and bank cards.”

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At the time, the woman told police, Popa was under the influence of vodka. Popa was later given a four-week jail term for flouting a domestic violence protection order.

Two days after his release, he began contacting the woman again. She had tried but failed to get her tenancy agreement changed so he returned to her property.

From June 22 until June 29, he began following her, arriving unannounced and unwanted at places where she was and suddenly appearing when a neighbour, who had been asked to pass on a parcel to her at a new address, arrived with it.

“He called her and followed her on numerous occasions,” said Mrs Jackson.

The court heard that the defendant took a job at McVitie’s because he knew his wife was also working there and he was for a time working next to her, asking for forgiveness and saying she was his wife and should get back with him.

There was also talk that he would “get her visa annulled," the court heard. She wants no further contact with him, added Mrs Jackson.

Jeff Smith, defending, said Popa, of Warwick Road, Carlisle, never intended to distress his wife and he maintained he had suffered a head injury after she attacked him.

“It required treatment by the victim, who washed the blood away in the shower,” said the lawyer. When he discovered his wife was working at the biscuit factory, Popa looked for alternative employment, added the lawyer.

Magistrates said the offence was so serious that it should be sentenced by judge at Carlisle Crown Court. Remanding Popa in custody, they sent the case there for a sentencing hearing on October 3.

In the meantime, a background report will be prepared.