A violent repeat offender from Stevenage who continued beating a woman despite being threatened with a prison term has now been jailed.

Robert Leech, of Hydean Way, was jailed for 18 weeks on Wednesday after pleading guilty to assaulting his victim, as well as damaging her mobile phone and a glass door.

The 26-year-old had received a suspended sentence for a previous assault on the same woman in January.

Deputy District Judge Shlomo Kreiman, sitting at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court, also imposed a restraining order to prevent him from contacting his victim or visiting a named Stevenage street.

Leech pleaded guilty to all charges, having previously denied them.

Passing sentence, the judge noted the victim’s vulnerability, Leech’s previous record and the fact that a child had been present.

The judge imposed concurrent 10-week and 12-week sentences for two charges of assault, as well as two weeks concurrent for damaging the door.

He activated six weeks of the suspended sentence, making an 18-week jail term in total.

Leech must also pay £115 surcharge.