A BRADFORD man has been jailed for three years for an attack of "appalling violence" which left a mother with a fractured eye socket.

In Bradford Crown Court on Friday, Robert Brierley, 41, of Eskdale Rise, Lower Grange, Bradford, was sentenced to three years in prison for maliciously wounding a Bradford woman in her home during an attack on October 20, 2021.

Crown prosecutor Holly Clegg said Brierley and the woman had a previous relationship, but had fallen out.

Before the incident, Brierley texted her saying he “missed her and wanted to see her". The woman eventually agreed to see him and he visited her home.

Ms Clegg said: "Their conversation was initially amicable and they discussed their past relationship."

When he wanted to explore the physical side of their relationship and she did not, Ms Clegg said: "He became jealous and physically aggressive and knocked her unconscious.

"Her daughter witnessed the defendant assaulting her mother.

"She saw the defendant punch her, then punch her off the bed and hit her head on a radiator. The incident lasted 20 minutes."

A doctor said the attack left the woman with facial numbness and nerve damage which could last up to 12 months or become permanent.

Ms Clegg said Brierley had a history of domestic violence where he had punched one victim several times in the head and hit another over the head with a television.

In defence, Brierley's attorney Ian Hudson said his client's most recent incident was 2016. He said Brierley had turned his life around working as a forklift driver.

He asked for a suspended sentence and a robust community order for Brierley.

But Deputy Circuit Judge David Hatton said Brierley carried out an attack of "appalling violence resulting in appalling injuries including a fractured eye socket, loss of blood and possible permanent nerve damage rendering her unconscious. This took place in the presence of a child.

"You not only have a dishonest but violent past and clearly have not learned from your earlier experiences.”

Taking into account the aggravating factors, the judge was going to impose a four year jail term, but because Brierley pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, the sentence was reduced to three years.

Brierley was also given an indefinite restraining order not to have contact with the woman or her daughter.

He must pay a surcharge and £1,000 in compensation within 12 months to the woman for damaged property in her home.