A jealous thug headbutted his former lover before punching and kicking her in an attack which left her with injuries described as “nothing short of horrific” by a judge.

Lance Colston attacked the terrified Folkestone mum as her four children were asleep in bed at their home.

Even as he was led away to start a five-year jail term, the unrepentant mechanic turned to where his victim was sitting in the public gallery, smiled and touched his heart.

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court convicted him on six charges, including coercive and controlling behaviour, three assaults and two of causing criminal damage.

Recorder Ed Burge told the 34-year-old he had saved his worst attack until his loving and loyal girlfriend had “found the courage” to report him to police.

After returning to her home he started a “prolonged, vicious and horrific attack” as she tried to defend herself with just a blanket.

Prosecutor Dominic Connelly said that when he could no longer punch her, he began kicking and stamping on her as she lay defenceless on the ground.

Recorder Burge added told him that not long after he began the relationship in August 2017, he moved in and began controlling and abusing her.

“You would check her phone and if she received a telephone call, you made her conduct any conversation on speaker phone..." - Recorder Ed Burge

He said: “You would check her phone and if she received a telephone call, you made her conduct any conversation on speaker phone.

“You became convinced she was sleeping with other men and repeatedly accused her of infidelity."

The court heard that Colston, now of Marine Parade, Folkestone, began dictating to her where she could go, how long she could go out for and what she could wear, accusing her of “flaunting” herself in front of men.

Colston, who had denied the offences, sat impassively as the court heard how in October he headbutted her for the first time.

Then he smashed plates and crockery before demanding she borrow money from family members before punching her between 10 to 15 times.

The judge added that the bruises to her arm were “nothing short of horrific” and she was left with bruises to most of her body.

In November she “finally found the courage” to report the attacks to police and she was accused of being “a grass” before he trashed her home and damaged her children’s toys.

In 2015, Colston was jailed for 26 months for punching, kicking and biting another ex-partner before holding a knife to her throat and threatening to kill her.

He was living in Clarendon Place, Dover at the time.