A BRIDGWATER man who told his exgirlfriend he would give her “the beating of a lifetime” was jailed for 15 months.

Paul Squire, 25, was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Friday, (January 16), after subjecting his then girlfriend, Leanne Bowes, to a “disgraceful assault”.

The court heard how on December 8, 2014, the pair had shared a bottle of cider at home when Miss Bowes spilt some water on Squire’s neck.

Prosecuting, William Hunter said: “He became aggressive.

“He took some money and left the house, the victim tried to follow him but he told her to go home or he would give her a black eye.

“He then came back and pushed her into the bedroom and said ‘You're going to get the beating of a lifetime’.”

Squire then subjected his girlfriend to an assault lasting around 20 minutes, punching her, kicking her, dragging her by the hair and sticking his fingers in her mouth.

Mr Hunter added: “The neighbours heard her screams and called the police.”

Defending, Harry Ahuja said that Bowes was remorseful for what he had done.

He added: “He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and is remorseful for what he has done.

“He tells me he would take advantage of all that is offered to him in custody to do with alcohol, relationships in the future and he hopes that by doing so he can start fresh in the future.”

Sentencing, Recorder Simon Levene told Squire he had committed “a disgraceful assault”.

He added: “The victim was a woman, a woman who should have been able to trust you because of your relationship.

“This was not an isolated incident.

“20 minutes is a long, long time when an attack is happening to you.

“I give you credit for your early plea and I accept that you are remorseful.”

Squire was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

He was also given a restraining order and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100.