A woman-beater pleaded with a judge to jail him for around five years so he would be behind bars long enough to undergo courses to halt his offending.

But a judge told John Mortimer: "I cannot sentence you as if this were a restaurant which handed out menus to defendants, nor will I. I have to sentence you in the proper manner."

He had heard how the 35-year-old assaulted his former girlfriend Chantelle Baillache, from Lenham, and threatened to kill her.

Judge Jeremy Carey said of Mortimer's letter: "I think this is a first - a defendant asking for a sentence of considerable length because he needs some help."

He sentenced Mortimer, of no fixed address, to three years following guilty pleas to making threats to kill and assault.

Jo Cope, prosecuting, said Miss Baillache ended the relationship in October last year after about six months because of Mortimer's controlling behaviour.

He became jealous and repeatedly contacted her to find out where she was.

Mortimer accused her of going out to "cop off" and said he would make her life hell.

They met in Upper Stone Street, Maidstone, and after she refused to go to his house he knocked her to the ground, Mrs Cope told Maidstone Crown Court.

"i think this is a first - a defendant asking for a sentence of considerable length because he needs some help…” – judge jeremy carey

Miss Baillache eventually managed to run off, but Mortimer chased her and punched her in the face several times.

Mortimer harassed and assaulted her further and while in custody wrote to a probation officer, telling her: "I just want to end her life. Yes, I mean murder. I really do need your help to avoid a serious crime being committed on my release."

Mrs Cope said Mortimer had 17 convictions for 35 offences, including threats to kill and assaults on former girlfriends.

In October 2008, he was jailed for three years for breaking into one woman's home armed with a hammer and knives, causing damage and threatening to kill her.

Judge Carey made a restraining order, banning Mortimer from contacting Miss Baillache and going to Lenham.