by Keith Hunt

A thug who subjected his partner to repeated beatings has been jailed for life after a jury convicted him of murdering her.

Steven Stallion smirked as he was led away to start a minimum sentence of 14 years.

Judge Jeremy Carey told him that as an epileptic and chronic alcoholic, victim Victoria Tomsett was vulnerable and deserved his protection.

He said: "Instead, because of your violent temper and bullying nature you set about her, by no means for the first time, but on this occasion with a purpose."

The jury of eight women and four men returned a unanimous verdict on Friday after deliberating for just over five hours.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Stallion, also an alcoholic, punched Miss Tomsett at least seven times to her head and face at their Dartford home, causing bleeding to the brain.

Stallion called the emergency services shortly after midnight on October 20, 2007 saying Miss Tomsett must have suffered an epileptic fit and fallen out of bed. But the victim had been dead some time.

Paramedics arrived at the flat at Sheridan Court in St Edmunds Road, Temple Hill, to find the 36-year-old divorced mother-of-one lying naked on her stomach on the bedroom floor.

• For the full report pick up a copy ofnext Thursday's Dartford Messenger.