A drug addict who is serving an eight-year jail sentence for extreme violence declared that being behind bars had saved his life, a court heard.

Dad-of-two Lenny Ianson was said to have remained drug free and is now regarded as a model prisoner.

“He said something quite profound this morning,” said his lawyer Lucy Luttman.

“He said he feels prison is the best place for him and it has saved his life.”

The 24-year-old roofer was given the long sentence in November last year after he repeatedly smashed a crowbar on a man’s arm in an unprovoked attack at his home in Snodland.

Victim Lee Mead was left with a badly fractured arm. Metal pins were inserted and he was scarred from surgery along the length of his forearm.

He suffered nerve damage to his fingers and was likely to need bone grafts.

Ianson, who will not be released until 2021, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing an offensive weapon.

He was back at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Jane Bond causing actual bodily harm just over a week earlier in May last year.

He admitted the offence, along with criminal damage.

"There was poor behaviour on both sides of the relationship, but you were physically dominant and able to exploit that and attack her..." - Recorder David Osborne

He denied controlling or coercive behaviour, two offences of damaging property, two of assault by beating, making a threat to kill and harassment, and they were not proceeded with.

Prosecutor Vivian Walters said the couple’s relationship was volatile at an early stage.

While staying at the home of Miss Bond’s mother in Snodland there was an argument and Ianson damaged a fence. The mother then told them to move out.

On May 29, they were living in Nevill Road when Ianson became angry after Miss Bond had been out for most of the night and wanted to sleep.

Miss Walters said Ianson grabbed the victim by the hair and bent her over the bath. He then pushed her up against the wall holding her by the throat.

He struck her on the side of the face and put his hand over her mouth to stop her breathing. “She said she thought she was going to die,” said Miss Walters.

She tried to leave but he pushed her back upstairs. After she managed to escape wearing just her pyjamas, Ianson threw all her belongings outside while insulting her.

Miss Luttman said Ianson went off the rails when his grandmother, who he was very close to, died. He was drinking and taking cocaine almost every day.

Ianson’s behaviour to his then girlfriend, she said, was “ungallant, criminal and unforgiveable”.

“He is completely different now,” she said. “He is progressing exceptionally well. He is a model prisoner. He works in the chapel. This has helped him to reshape his life.”

Sentencing Ianson to four months consecutive to his present sentence, Recorder David Osborne said: “There was poor behaviour on both sides of the relationship, but you were physically dominant and able to exploit that and attack her.

“You must know that is quite unacceptable. Since going into prison you have remained drug-free, which is not as easy as it sounds.”