Man who stamped on woman's face is jailed

Anthony Barber was already on bail for burglary offences when he went round to Linda Spivey's home following an earlier row on New Year's Day.

Once there he pushed her causing her to fall to the floor where she suffered a 10cm cut to her head.

Judge Kerry Macgill said her four-year-old nephew then came down having been woken by the noise and screaming and got blood on him as she cradled the youngster to comfort him.

"Not satisfied with having caused that scene you came across and stamped on her face causing a fractured eye socket."

He told the defendant that stamping on a defenceless woman in that way with a foot was just as bad as using a weapon. The sentence had to reflect the public's abhorrence for such violence.

Judge Macgill said he had intervened when it appeared a plea to a lesser charge was going to be accepted. "How anyone could think that was not deliberate I do not know."

Barber, 24, of Dewsbury Road, Tingley, Wakefield, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent and three offences of burglary or burglary with intent.

David Tyrer, for Barber, said the assault happened at New Year when he was under the influence of a "cocktail of drink and drugs".

It was not pre-meditated but followed an argument between them and he had since expressed remorse for the injuries caused while she had written to him in affectionate terms wishing him well.