An abusive ex-boyfriend from Biggleswade who drunkenly smashed into his way into a young woman’s home and beat her up has today been jailed.

Stuart Welch, 30, used a plant pot from outside the woman’s home to break in through a window, then dragged her by her hair into a bathroom and punched her numerous times.

Passing sentence at Luton Crown Court today, Judge Barbara Mensah handed Welch a 15-month term behind bars.

Addressing the defendant, she said: “This is a very serious case. This wasn’t spur-of-the-moment anger, but somewhat planned over a period of time.

“You had the opportunity to go away and cool down, but you didn’t.”

Welch, of Lindsell Crescent, pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman occasioning her actual body harm, as well as using violence to gain entrance.

The court heard that he and the victim had been in a relationship some months before the crime in June this year, and had remained in contact after splitting up.

He continued staying at her home in Biggleswade, but she didn’t want him there permanently and he moved out to rented accommodation nearby.

During the evening of June 24 the pair sent each other a series of text messages, as a result of which he called by to collect some belongings.

But in the early hours of June 25, he came back again – and she heard him swear and shout at her to open the door.

At that point he smashed through a window and, having been drinking, cut himself on the broken glass as he climbed through.

Prosecutor Charles Judge said that once inside, Welch dragged the woman by her hair into the hallway and then the bathroom, where he threw her to the floor – causing her to hit her head on the sink.

He then punched her numerous times, leaving her with a swollen lip and lumps on her head. Her hair was pulled so violently that some of it fell out.

Andrew Selby, defending, said Welch felt remorse over what had happened that night.

“What he did was unforgivable and inexcusable,” Mr Selby said.

“Fortunately the injuries she sustained were not as serious as they might have been.”

The vicious attack, which happened while a young child was in the house, following a string of behaviour which police said “terrified the victim and muted her call for help”.

Det Con Ross Rushton, investigating officer from Beds police’s dedicated Emerald team, said: “This was a shocking spell of violent and intimidating behaviour which was distressing for the victim.

“We are grateful for the several calls we received from members of the public who were concerned for the safety of the victim. Raising alarm when you are concerned about possible domestic abuse is crucial – it can be a difference between life and death.

“Welch subjected his victim to a petrifying and nasty attack and we are pleased he will spend time in prison to reflect on his actions.

“Domestic abuse will not be tolerated and we will continue to take action against those who believe they can damage the lives of both their current and ex-partners or families.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Welch was made subject to a restraining order forbidding him to contact the woman.