Man used a poker to beat up his girlfriend, , Leicester Crown Court told

A woman suffered multiple injuries after being beaten with a poker by her lover.

Despite inflicting a fractured rib, a punctured lung and extensive bodily and facial bruising, Mark Anthony Biddles refused to let her have immediate medical help.

He only agreed to drop her off at hospital the following day, if she promised not to blame him for her injuries, Leicester Crown Court was told.

Biddles (45), of Woodgate, Rothley, was jailed for three years. He admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, on July 16, 2011.

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Philip Gibbs, prosecuting, said the couple's four-year relationship deteriorated over time.

Biddles was said to have been in "a bad mood" during her visit and he refused to eat a meal she made, complaining it was "overcooked",

Mr Gibbs said: "She spent the rest of the day trying to keep the peace."

She went for a walk and called in to see a male friend, but within five minutes the defendant arrived, telling her to return to his house, which she did.

Mr Gibbs said: "The defendant then set about her as she sat on the sofa, kicking her legs with hard-soled shoes and punched her head, ribs, chest and arms.

"He picked up a poker from the fireplace and struck her legs and feet, ignoring her pleas to stop, until a friend who knocked on the window saw what was happening and intervened.

"Biddles didn't call an ambulance and wouldn't let her leave. Her chest was hurting and she was struggling for breath.

"She was made to sleep there."

However, the next day his parents told him to take her to hospital.

Mr Gibbs said: "She was covered in bruises to her arms, chest, legs, bottom and chin. She had a cut to the crown of her head and a bruised left eye, as well as a fractured rib and punctured lung."

She was in hospital for five days.

At the police station, Biddles who, also suffered injuries in the incident, remorsefully said: "I could have killed her."

Mr Gibbs said the victim, who had health problems, accepted she had also, on rare occasions, been violent towards the defendant.

She did not wish for him to be jailed, as she realised he had "a lot of difficulties," said Mr Gibbs.

Judge Simon Hammond said: "It was a brutal and wicked beating.

"Women should be protected from violent partners."

Biddles spent 18 days on remand in custody, which will be deducted from his jail sentence, along with 289 qualifying days, relating to half of a 578-day curfew he served while on bail.

The judge made a restraining order banning Biddles from contacting the victim.

Carl Gaskell, mitigating, said: "When arrested, the defendant had extensive bruising to his arms, legs, torso and face, which he told the police was as a result of 'fighting with my girlfriend'.

"He acknowledges the seriousness of his actions and thankfully the consequences weren't more serious.

"He could benefit from help to control his anger."