A thug who smacked his girlfriend's head against a bath revealed his “softer side” when a judge was told he was anxious to return home to his guinea pigs.

Tristian Hogben's violent assault of the woman included him putting his hands to her neck to stop her talking and hitting her repeatedly against the floor.

But during his sentencing hearing at Canterbury Crown Court, the 46-year-old's lawyer explained how he was desperate to be freed from prison to look after his guinea pig “farm”.

Phil Rowley, defending, said the business of rearing the furry creatures was in a "fledgling" state when Hogben was arrested for the attack last year and remanded into custody.

A friend had been caring for the animals since but Mr Rowley said his client was "very focused" on getting back to them as soon as possible.

However, the submission appeared to lack bite when the judge concluded that Hogben could not be spared jail.

The court heard he had been in an "on and off" relationship with the woman for about five years and living together in Canterbury for nine months when violence flared.

Prosecutor Caroline Knight said that following an argument between the pair on August 7, she left their flat at about 6pm and headed to a friend's home.

Hogben turned up "drunk but calm" but soon became angry and started shouting, she told the court.

"He put his hands to her neck to stop her talking, smashed her head repeatedly on the floor and, when in the bathroom, hit her head on the bath," Miss Knight added.

The court heard although there was no medical evidence, photographs showed "a nasty bruise" to the victim's head and scratches to her neck.

Hogben, previously of Old Park Avenue, Canterbury, gave a 'no comment' interview but later pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

He had also faced a charge of intentional strangulation but the prosecution offered no evidence and a formal not guilty verdict was recorded.

Hogben, who has 21 previous convictions for 30 offences including eight for violence, was subject to a 16-week suspended sentence at the time of the assault.

That had been imposed in May last year for breaching a restraining order and possessing Class A drugs with intent.

Mr Rowley told the court that Hogben had "reflected on his conduct" and was now "anxious to be at liberty" as soon as possible to rebuild his life and rear his rodents.

"Before his remand into custody, Mr Hogben had a fledgling business in raising guinea pigs by way of a guinea pig farm," explained the lawyer.

"There is a business to continue and animals to be cared for, and he is very focused on returning to that endeavour on his release - running a guinea pig farm and making a living for himself and his friend."

But Recorder Vivian Walters said the only appropriate punishment was immediate custody.

Jailing Hogben for a total of 20 months, she told him: "This was an assault incurred in a domestic context and you were in drink when it was committed."

The judge added that his previous convictions and poor compliance with court orders were also serious aggravating factors.

The court heard the victim had not supported the prosecution and therefore no restraining order was sought.