A jealous boyfriend has been jailed for 18 months after he battered his partner unconscious before leaving her two young children cowering in the bath.
Lee Birks, 27, flipped and launched a frenzied attack on Natalie Ranson, 33, after he wrongly accused her of cheating on him.
Birks head-butted Natalie twice in the face before pummeling her with his fists just feet away from her two terrified children at her home in Werrington, Staffs., on May 17 this year.
Mechanic Birks initially threw Natalie’s laptop against a wall and then stamped on it before hurling a glass against the kitchen wall.
He then punched a television in the bedroom before head-butting helpless Natalie twice in the face and thumping her in the right eye causing her to lose consciousness.
The shocking attack, which left Natalie with horrific facial injuries, happened just feet away from her children, aged four and 18 months.
After battering Natalie, Birks fled the house before being arrested later that day when Natalie came round and dialled 999.
Birks, from Meir Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs., was jailed for 18 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after he was convicted of assault on December 5.
He was also banned from contacting Natalie for three years.
Jailing Birks, Judge Paul Glenn told him: “You had been in a relationship from 2008.
“She described you as jealous and possessive during that relationship.
“On May 17 you argued, it was about one of her ex-partners and Facebook contact she allegedly had with someone you knew.
“You had drunk alcohol and became increasingly angry and ignored a request to leave.
“This young lady was a vulnerable victim, a single mother. Her injuries were unpleasant. It was a repeated assault.
“When you head-butt people, that equates to using a weapon.
“The aggravating features are a conviction for a previous assault on the same victim and the presence of two young children.”
Speaking after the case, Natalie, who had to undergo surgery on her nose, described a sense of relief after her ‘terrifying ordeal’ came to an end.
The full-time mum said: “Lee started going off on one. I just asked him to leave. I could see the anger in his eyes.
“I was checking on the children who were in the bath. I heard a loud noise. My laptop had been slung on one side of the room.
“Lee was in a rage. I went up to the children. I came downstairs. Lee threw the glass at the kitchen wall.
“I was just asking him to leave.
“He then went upstairs, the children were still in the bath. I went upstairs because I did not want him anywhere near my children.
“Lee was in my bedroom. I told him to get out the house. He swung around and punched my television. It was in pieces.
“He came towards me and head-butted me. I think I lost consciousness. He head-butted me twice. My nose was pouring with blood.
“I was in a complete and utter daze. I did not know what had gone on.
“He then punched me to my right eye and cut me open where my eyebrow is.
“My children were screaming. I just wanted to make sure they were OK.
“He left. I went downstairs. I knocked on next door and asked for help. I had blood everywhere.”
Natalie added: “I have got my closure now. He put me through absolute hell that night.
“My kids were in the bath and all I could think about was getting to them and making sure they were okay.
“I am still suffering because I need surgery on my nose to replace the cartilage that was damaged. I am getting on with my life now.”
