A HEREFORD man with a history of violence has been jailed for two years for a drunken attack on his partner.

David Wallace pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent on Zoe Launchbury.

Wallace, aged 35, was arrested on May 10 after the assault on Miss Launchbury in the flat they shared in Amberley Court, Highmoor Street, Westfields, Hereford.

He was sentenced by video link from prison.

Hugh Williams, prosecuting, said Wallace had gone for a drink at 5pm and was very drunk when he returned at 11pm. His partner had gone to bed and was asleep until she was woken by him shouting.

He became verbally abusive and struck Miss Launchbury in the face, breaking a bone in her nose and causing the wound to bleed profusely. The incident was seen by her 10-year-old son.

Mr Williams said she had not been prepared to make an impact statement. He added that Wallace had been jailed for assault on three previous occasions, including once for biting off part of a man’s ear.

Jason Aris, mitigating, said Wallace deserved credit for his early admission of guilt. Despite what had happened, the relationship was ongoing and Wallace was ashamed of his conduct.

Recorder Anthony Lowe said he was disturbed by Wallace’s violent history but was reducing the initial sentence of three years to two because of the early guilty plea.