A mum-of-two plagued by nightmares about the trauma inflicted on her by her bullying ex-boyfriend says domestic abuse victims “should never be silenced”.

Brave Eleasha Allen spoke out as Danny Garforth was sentenced for an attack on her at her Ramsgate home while in breach of a restraining order.

A court heard she had been the victim of his “cowardly behaviour” and was left in “constant fear” of the 39-year-old.

It was only when he was held in prison while awaiting trial that she felt she could “be herself again”, dressing as she liked and wearing make-up once more.

She has now encouraged other victims to speak out following Garforth’s latest appearance in the dock.

He was hauled before a judge at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday - having been held behind bars for four months - to be sentenced for an assault and breaching court orders.

The court was told he carried out an extended episode of aggression against Ms Allen that culminated in a violent attack on January 5 this year.

The judge heard Garforth, of Newington Road, Ramsgate, had been drinking at a pub the night before and called Ms Allen to pick him up

Prosecutor Neil Moore said when she arrived, Garforth became verbally abusive as they returned to Ms Allen’s Ramsgate home.

“The following morning, he would not allow her to take her children to school - insisting on driving them there himself even though Ms Allen thought he was still drunk,” he said.

When Garforth returned, he continued his offensive behaviour, following Ms Allen around the house and berating her.

“He continued to be abusive, Ms Allen told him to leave. He then threw a glass into her bathroom where she was, causing the glass to smash, continued the prosecutor.

“He left and came back a few minutes later. Ms Allen didn’t let him in, so he forced his way in and pushed past her to go upstairs.

“As he was coming back down the stairs, he pushed her with such force that she scratched her arm on a nearby windowsill. The windowsill was also damaged.”

Garforth, who has a history of assault, was arrested at his mother’s address two days later.

She’s in constant fear because of what the defendant had put her and her children through...”

By contacting Ms Allen and coming to her home, Garforth had also broken a non-molestation order and a restraining order previously imposed by the courts.

He appeared before magistrates on January 7 and admitted the breaches, but denied charges of assault by beating, intentional strangulation and damaging Ms Allen’s property, and was remanded in custody.

Magistrates later cleared Garforth of intentional strangulation and property damage, but convicted him of assault by beating.

At his sentencing hearing this week, the prosecution told how Garforth’s abuse has impacted Ms Allen.

Mr Moore said the mum has been plagued by nightmares of her attacker, but has enjoyed more personal freedom while he has been behind bars.

“She’s in constant fear because of what the defendant had put her and her children through,” he said.

“She finds it impossible to sleep and has nightmares of him at night. She has had to pay for the damage to her property.

“But since the defendant has been in custody she feels that she can be herself again - she feels she can dress the way she likes and wear make-up again.

“She’s starting to feel better as if ‘a weight has been lifted from her’.”

Judge Simon Taylor KC imposed a fresh, eight-year restraining order banning Garforth from contacting Ms Allen.

Addressing Garforth’s lawyer, Kerry Waitt, he said: “I have read a lot about the defendant and the question I have for you is - does he want to sort himself out?”

Mr Waitt explained that during the almost four months his client had spent in prison, he had taken time to reflect.

“He has used his time in custody constructively and has prospects of employment as a scaffolder,” said Mr Waite.

“Once he is released, he will live temporarily with the assistance of friends and family, that will be in the Thanet area, but the defendant will be very much aware of the restraining order and, as I’ve said, he does not want to reestablish contact.”

Handing down Garforth’s sentence, Judge Taylor said: “What a judge has to do is not only punish, but look at the protection of the public and the rehabilitation of the offender.

“Mr Garforth, you’ve got a poor record and a history of not complying with court orders.

Victims of crimes like this should never be silenced...

“Had you been convicted of a more serious crime, I would have sent you to prison, but you’ve already served much of the time that I would have sentenced you for.

“You don’t want to be this person, with everyone sitting in court knowing that you are a domestic abuser.

“I’m going to give you the opportunity to work with the probation service to get rid of this bullying and cowardly behaviour.”

Garforth was released from custody but given a two-year community order with a requirement to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 27 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions.

“In sentencing you in this way, I do not underestimate the seriousness of your offending,” continued Judge Taylor.

“This is a lenient, merciful and productive sentence - if you break it, you will be brought back to court and you will lose the chance to rehabilitate yourself and breathe fresh air.”

Speaking to KentOnline after the sentencing, Ms Allen sought to inspire other victims of domestic violence to come forward and help bring their abusers to justice.

"Victims of crimes like this should never be silenced,” she said.

“I hope I have shown that men and women who go through experiences like mine can speak up.

“It’s traumatic going through the court process, but we all have a voice that can be heard.”

If you’re a victim of domestic abuse and need help, call Victim Support’s 24-hour phoneline on 0808 16189111 or visit victimsupport.org.