A thug who twice sank his teeth into his ex-girlfriend in a drunken attack has been jailed for just over a year.

Michael Cottington chomped on Shannon Clifton’s finger, bit her on the face and repeatedly kicked her while she was on the ground.

A judge told him: “I can only described this as savage, disgusting and cowardly.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard it was the second time the 22-year-old, of Trench Road, Tonbridge, had bitten an ex-partner.

He was subject to a suspended sentence for that assault when he met Miss Clifton in Temple Way, East Malling, on July 3 this year and she invited him to join her for a drink at The Rising Sun pub.

“He proceeded to get very drunk,” said prosecutor Alexander Goudie. “She was concerned about him and walked him home.”

On the way he started abusing her. He went to a shop, bought a bottle of gin and ended up flat out on the ground.

Miss Clifton helped him up and he continued to insult her. Still concerned about him, she carried on walking with him.

There was an argument and Cottington grabbed the victim and pushed her to the ground.

“She felt pain in her fingers,” said Mr Goudie.

“He was biting down. He took her face in both hands and started to bite her right eyebrow. He clamped down with his teeth.

“She said his eyes were bloodshot with anger and he looked full of rage. She begged him to stop. He eventually stepped away.

“While she was on the ground he kicked her five or six times before walking away.”

Cottington denied assault causing actual bodily harm but was convicted by magistrates. He was committed to Crown Court for sentence.

Recorder John Bate-Williams told him: “I am sure Miss Clifton suffered considerable pain and emotional stress.”

“I can only described this as savage, disgusting and cowardly" - Recorder John Bate-Williams

If Cottington had not been convicted of a similar offence at Manchester Crown Court in September last year, he said, a suspended sentence could have been considered.

“I would not be doing my duty if I didn’t impose a custodial sentence. This was a sustained attack on a woman. There was use of feet and teeth.”

He added: “Make sure you get back to a useful life and treat partners properly.”

Cottington was sentenced to 10 months for the assault and 16 weeks of the 24-week suspended sentence was activated consecutively.

An indefinite restraining order was made banning contact with Miss Clifton or going to her home in Leybourne.