A romantic night at a hotel ended abruptly with violence that spilled out in the street in the early hours, a court heard.

Both Sean Elliott and his girlfriend had been drinking heavily and he suddenly became violent, shouting at her, smashing a mirror and punching a hole in the door.

Elliott, 21, decided he did not want to stay the night at The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel in Dartford High Street on September 25.

They left and Elliott, of Hunters Way, Tunbridge Wells, forced the woman into his car, telling her to drive because he had drunk too much.

Prosecutor Keith Yardy said Elliott violently attacked her. She tried to get out of the car and he grabbed her by the hair and neck and forced her back inside.

Part of the assault was captured on CCTV cameras, film from which was shown to a judge at Maidstone Crown Court.

"You didn't care how she felt and the terror she was in" - Recorder Mark van der Zwart, to Elliott

“He stamped on her right knee before slamming the door on her,” said Mr Yardy. “He kicked her in the face and kicked the door.”

The victim, a hairdresser, was rescued by witnesses horrified at what was happening.

Mr Yardy said the woman drove the car away and she was stopped on suspicion of drink-driving, but not charged.

She went to her doctor the next day and was treated for bruises and swelling to her head. She had feared her cheekbone could be broken. She was scarred under her bottom lip.

She told how she had to use makeup to cover up the bruising. But she was more distressed about having bald patches where her hair fell out.

She told in a victim statement of waking up and finding hair on her pillow. She said her hair was like that of a 90-year-old woman.

The victim asked for a restraining order but said she did not want Elliott to go to prison.

John Fitzgerald, defending, said Elliott, who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage, confessed to having difficulty with his emotions and temper.

The unemployed carpenter self-harmed rather than harm others. He had contacted the Samaritans and his GP for help.

“When in drink, his problems are exacerbated,” said Mr Fitzgerald. “He has struggled to control his emotions. He wants help.”

Mr Fitzgerald said the woman had invited Elliott out for the evening and she arranged for them to stay at the hotel.

“Their romantic evening fell to pieces,” he said. “He lost control. He says: ‘If I could turn back the clock I would. I have been punishing myself for it.’”

Jailing Elliott for 16 months, Recorder Mark van der Zwart said Elliott had the chance to calm down after he committed the damage at the hotel.

“She cowed in and outside the car,” he said. “You tried to force her inside with hands and feet. You slammed the car door on her and kicked her in the face.

“You didn’t care how she felt and the terror she was in. She had a very nasty collection of bruises to her face and arms.

“I accept you had troubled teenage years, but that is only an excuse. It is reassuring you are no longer in this relationship. You are never to have anything more to do with her.”