AN Exeter man has been jailed after he attacked his partner and ripped out a clump of her hair when he went berserk the morning after a drinking session.
Aaron Murby was a new father who was struggling to cope with the strain of having a seriously ill child in hospital.
He woke up in a violent mood the next day and started smashing up his partner's Exeter home before assaulting her.
She escaped but her head and body were badly bruised and police later found clumps of hair at the scene of the attack.
Murby, 32, of Browning Close, Exeter, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm on the first day of his trial at Exeter Crown Court.
Judge Philip Wassall sentenced him to seven months in jail.
The court heard that the couple had been in a relationship for about eight years at the time of the incident in October last year.
Prosecuting, Beth Heaton said: "They woke on a sofa about 9am the next day and an argument ensued. There was a difference of opinion over how the argument started. The defendant later snapped and smashed items including a television, glass and picture frames.
"She left and returned home 30 minutes later hoping he had calmed down. But he was still agitated and an argument ensued. He pushed her back against the bannister and she hit him with a broom. He pushed her and grabbed her hair. He pulled it so hard a clump of her hair come off her scalp.
"She went back to her friend's house and was very upset and in pain. She had several bruises and was persuaded to call the police."
Defending Nigel Wraith said: "He acknowledges that he has a problem with his temper, particularly in a domestic setting. He is sorry. He is a hard-working man who owns a business in the construction industry.
"The couple's daughter was born prematurely in July last year and went straight to Bristol Hospital where she remained for seven months, which is where she was at the time of this incident.
"His business suffered as he stayed up in Bristol as much as he could. Their daughter was extremely unwell. She had open heart surgery and has a very rare condition. She is the only child who has this condition in the country.
"She was moved to HDU in Exeter in January this year where she remains to this day."
Mr Wraith said the defendant was undergoing nursing training so he could care for her when she comes out of hospital.
"His number one priority is his daughter," he added.
"He accepts the relationship is over and he needs to move on and needs some education on how to behave in a domestic situation."
Judge Wassall rejected a plea from the victim not to send the defendant to prison.
He said: "You were both under a great deal of pressure because of the situation with your 13-month old daughter. If you were of previous good character I would have a great deal of sympathy for you. But I have to take into view of the way you behaved in the past
"This was about control and terrorising her. She has come under your hands before. You have previous convictions for domestic abuse using control over her and violence to get your own way.
"Considering your previous history of violence, there is no wonder she hit you with a broom. She must have been terrified.
"I was told your number one priority was your child. It is not. In my experience from family courts the impact on a child of seeing of or hearing their parents being violent to each other is worse than if physical harm is done to themselves. It is enormously emotionally disruptive. If you got that then maybe you would start putting your child first.
"This matter is so serious only an immediate custodial sentence is justified."
