A 23-year-old woman sent a letter to a judge saying she would stand by the “lovely” boyfriend who head-butted her to the ground and stamped on her.

Worcester Crown Court heard how the woman, Jamie Welsh, was not going to give up on jailed Aaron Smith despite his drunken attacks.

Smith, aged 21, of Springfield Avenue, Hunderton, Hereford, was a “lovely person” when sober, said Miss Welsh, and though shocked by his violence she told the court that she loved him.

“I’m not giving up on him. Everyone needs a chance,” said Miss Welsh.

Smith admitted assaulting Miss Welsh after a night out in December last year. He was jailed for two years, which included 12 months for breaching a suspended prison sentence for a previous attack on her.

Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Geddes told a weeping Smith that he did not deserve the kindness and support Miss Welsh was showing him, but he was “fortunate” to have it.

Kerry Moreton, prosecuting, said witnesses to the December attack saw Miss Welsh headbutted to the ground before being kicked, punched, and stamped on.

Two years ago, the court heard, Miss Welsh needed four stitches after Smith caused a cut over her left eye, then split those stitches in another assault a month later during which he squeezed her throat. He had even threatened police subsequently called to his home with a samurai sword and a negotiator had to talk him out.

Paul Ricketts, defending, said excess alcohol had been the main problem in the couple's three-year relationship.

Smith, said Mr Ricketts, would sometimes drink to unconsciousness and “lose brain function”.

In the past, the court heard, Smith sought help from Alcoholics Anonymous but had suffered from depression and anger problems for much of his life.