Girlfriend kicked, punched, dragged and stamped on in two-day terror reign

James Barrow's excuse for his two-day reign of terror against Kelly Allport was that he was still haunted by causing the death of a man by careless driving in 2011.

The 26-year-old slapped Miss Allport, threw an iron at her and threatened to pour bleach over her at her home in Stafford Road, Wolverhampton.

Prosecutor Mr Ian Ball told Wolverhampton Crown Court: "It started on December 31 last year when the defendant was at Miss Allport's flat that she shared with her three-year-old son.

"They had been in a relationship for three months, but were not living together.

"The defendant asked Miss Allport if he could use her tablet as his phone had run out of battery.

"She was asleep when he woke her up, accusing her of messaging other men.

"She told him they were from the father of her son, who she remains on good terms with.

"He started to kick her and punch her before putting on his trainers and kicking her more.

"He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her off the bed.

"Later on, he calmed down and apologised. He told her he loved her and started crying.

"All this happened while her son was in the house, but she didn't call the police as he told her he would kill her if she did so."

He added: "They started rowing again about messages on her Facebook page, and he kicked her in the ribs and legs.

"The next morning, her mum called round to pick up her son, as had been pre-arranged, but she didn't go with her as she didn't feel it was safe.

"She showed the defendant her bruises and he said he was sorry and he wanted to kill himself.

"He then lost his temper again, kicking and punching her. He punched a hole through a door, before getting bleach and threatening to pour it over her and burn her skin.

"He tried to make her go outside and told her she was an animal, and should be treated like one, but she didn't go.

"He told her he would kill her and burn her house down, and flicked open his lighter and asked her which room he should burn first.

"Eventually she managed to call 999 to get the police, but she had to whisper as quietly as she could. When they arrived she ran out of the front door and he was arrested.

"The defendant has previous convictions of causing death by careless driving in 2011, threats to kill in 2012 and two convictions of battery in 2014."

Barrow, of Uttoxeter Road, Stoke-on-Trent, pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Mr Arif Hussain, defending, said that the 2011 conviction had a major impact on Barrow.

He said: "He hasn't been the same since. Before then he had been of previous good character.

"Even today he struggles to come to terms with the fact that he caused the death of someone.

"The threats and battery convictions were similar situations to this, and it is clear from his history that he struggles to maintain relationships.

"He requires some form of structured intervention."

Judge Peter Barrie told Barrow: "This was a sustained and violent attack. You attacked Miss Allport and then told her you loved her. What could possibly have been going through your mind to make you say that?

"You thought you could punish and control Miss Allport, kicking, punching, slapping, stamping and pulling her around by her hair. You also threw an iron at her, threatened to pour bleach on her and threatened to kill her and burn her house down."

He sentenced Barrow to two years in prison.

The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to ABH and criminal damage and was sentenced to two years in prison.