A controlling thug who punched and threatened to kill a woman has been put behind bars.

Floyd McNally-Jones repeatedly made disparaging and abusive comments to his victim and assaulted her twice at hotels in Dover.

The 27-year-old, who was arrested by police last April, punched the woman in the face following an argument in the first of two attacks.

Fourteen days later, he threw a drinks can at her, hitting her in the head.

Before his arrest, McNally-Jones, of no fixed address, sent threatening messages to the victim and a woman who helped her, threatening to kill them.

An investigation by East Kent's Vulnerability Investigation Team discovered that in the build-up to the assaults, McNally-Jones had cut the woman off from her family and friends.

He also controlled her lifestyle, including telling her what she could do and when she could do it, and would repeatedly make disparaging and abusive comments about her.

It was also established that, in April 2018, McNally-Jones had assaulted the same woman by kicking her, punching her and hitting her head with a glass.

As part of his sentencing, five-year restraining orders have been imposed on the thug, prohibiting him from contacting the victim or the woman who helped her.

His jail sentence, given at Canterbury Crown Court last Thursday, is for three years and four months.

McNally-Jones admitted two assaults, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, controlling and coercive behaviour and a malicious communications offence.

PC Ella Russell, of East Kent's Vulnerability Investigation Team, has praised the victim's bravery in coming forward about her suffering.

'Her bravery in disclosing his behaviour following these terrible assaults has led to him rightly being imprisoned...'

She said: "The first priority of our team is protecting victims like the woman who suffered appalling abuse at the hands of McNally-Jones.

"Her bravery in disclosing his behaviour following these terrible assaults has led to him rightly being imprisoned and restraining orders imposed to protect her and another woman.

"I urge anyone suffering coercive and controlling behaviour or domestic abuse to report it now by calling 999 or 101, going to our website, or visiting your local police station.

"Our officers will make sure that you're dealt with respectfully and spoken to away from the person responsible for the abuse.

"We'll stay in contact with you and see you through the whole investigation and any resulting court proceedings."

For more details on domestic abuse and how to report it, click here.