A man who kicked and stamped on a lover's face before attacking two terrified children later told police: "I deserve the electric chair."

Alcoholic Christopher Murphy, 35, turned violent after a party with then partner Zoe Nelson.

The attack in Folkestone was so violent his victim suffered a double fracture to her jaw during the beating.

A judge has been told it is the second time in five years she has needed metal plates in her face following an almost identical attack from another man.

Yet, astonishingly, the mother-of-three tried to STOP the prosecution against Murphy – for her assault - and refused to make a victim impact statement used in criminal cases.

And the Crown Prosecution Service was forced to accept a plea to a lesser charge by Murphy, now of South Street, Canterbury.

He was jailed for 18 months after admitting three assaults, causing her grievous bodily harm and two of causing actual bodily harm against two children.

Prosecutor Rossano Cifonelli told Canterbury Crown Court of the events that led up to the attacks last year.

He said the couple, who both had alcohol problems during their stormy three-year relationship, had been drinking heavily at a New Year's Eve party.

Ms Nelson had returned home with others leaving her lover to make his own way because the taxi had been full.

But within minutes of returning, the couple began an argume nt over the time it had taken him to make the return journey.

Ms Nelson was then knocked to the ground and kicked and her face stamped on – and two others received bruises in the violent attack.

Mr Cifonelli said: "At the top of the stairs Murphy pushed her with some force causing her to fall before kicking her to both the left and right side of the face. She then passed out and couldn't recall anything else until the ambulance arrived."

"these were terrible events which had caused serious injuries and destroyed a family..." – judge nigel van der bijl

He added "there was blood everywhere", causing two children to flee for help in the rain still dressed in pyjamas. One of them later reported she had also been kicked in the face.

Danny Moore, defending, said Murphy had no previous convictions for violence, but three for drink-driving offences.

"The person who committed these offences is not by definition a violent or bad person. He has said from the beginning he really has very little memory of these events," he added.

He said Ms Nelson – who made a retraction statement in an effort to halt the prosecution on her assault – said Murphy "had suffered enough and I hope he is not sent to prison".

Mr Moore said the attacks "must have been terrifying" for the children, but Murphy had "momentarily snapped" and he had now shown real remorse.

The barrister added the future for the couple – who have a child together – was uncertain, adding: "What will happen in the future, I simply don't know."

Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl said Murphy had to go to prison, telling him: "These were terrible events which had caused serious injuries and destroyed a family. This was all fueled by alcohol."