A DRUNKEN man who punched his girlfriend in the face and took an axe to her front door, has received a 16 month jail sentence.

But Steven Alderman, having already spent the equivalent sentence on remand since mid December, is to be released on licence.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Alderman, 47, of Ascot Parade, Bradford, would be released without serving any further time.

The prosecutor outlined how the pair had been in a relationship at the time of the attack in September 2020.

But on night of September 11, Alderman's partner told him she wanted to end it, leaving his flat and returning to her own nearby.

"He became very angry. He threw all of her clothes out of the flat and walked towards her and punched her in the eye. She fell back and hit her head on the door."

He added: "In the early hours of the 12th, the following morning, she was woken up by a loud banging, he was shouting and banging and hitting her door with an axe."

The court was told the victim could see the axe through the holes he'd made in the door, and heard Alderman threatening to break the door down.

He ended up causing considerable damage to the door and the bannister in the hallway outside.

Alderman later returned at 9am asking for tobacco, and again 20 minutes later, banging and shouting to be let in because he wanted to watch television.

At this point the victim called the police again as did a neighbour.

He admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing a bladed article, namely an axe.

Angus McDonald, for Alderman, said he was "deeply sorry" for what happened and that he had been addicted to alcohol at the time but that was "no excuse for the behaviour".

"He accepts he has a 'lot of making up to do'," he added.

Mr McDonald explained how Alderman has been on remand from December 16, 2020, so had served eight months exactly - the equivalent of a 16 month prison sentence.

He also said that despite the complainant retracting her statement to the police twice, Alderman did not push for a trial, and had admitted guilt.

He described how Alderman was a plasterer by trade and had moved to Bradford four years ago and at that point had effectively become addicted to alcohol.

He added that Alderman had been a model prisoner and that the couple had now both given up alcohol completely and wanted to give their relationship another go.

Judge Colin Burn said in sentencing: "There can be no doubt she would have been terrified at seeing that axe coming through her door and all the shouting that accompanied it."

He added: "When you look back at the circumstances of these two serious offences, if you were to go back to drinking, this sort of thing is likely, if not very likely to happen again."

He warned Alderman if he reoffended he would be returned to prison, but added that with his skills, he could "earn a good living" if he plied his trade soberly.