A woman who suffered a brutal reign of beatings from her partner that once left her hospitalised for three days was yesterday told by a judge that she was “foolish” for saying she wanted him back.

A woman who suffered a brutal reign of beatings from her partner that once left her hospitalised for three days was yesterday told by a judge that she was “foolish” for saying she wanted him back.

Judge Peter Jacobs also told Kerry Bice, who gave evidence at Norwich Crown Court in the case of her partner Dale Bradfield, that the effect of the domestic violence on the couple's three children would be “terrible”.

Bradfield, of Williamson Close, Heartsease in Norwich, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm to Ms Bice, which left her in hospital for three days, and the theft of her clothing in February.

The court heard Bradfield had gone to her home after a break up to ask her to come back to him. When she refused, he dragged Ms Bice outside her home, pulling her hair so hard that clumps fell out, then smashed her head on a concrete step.

She was taken to hospital with head injuries where she was given stitches and released three days later only to find Bradfield had stolen her clothes.

It is the latest incident in a catalogue of violent attacks by Bradfield during the on-off relationship. In September 2004 he slapped Ms Bice and spat in her face and was convicted for common assault and threatening behaviour.

The following year he had gone to her home saying he wanted to see their children and spat at her and in a separate incident he was convicted for criminal damage.

It was while he was in breach of his conditional discharge for the criminal damage that he assaulted Ms Bice the following August saying he would “do five years” for her. And last July he pulled her by the hair and hit her in the mouth, receiving a four-month sentence suspended for a year.

But Ms Bice gave evidence yesterday that she still loved Bradfield and wanted him back, partly for their three children.

Yesterday Judge Jacobs jailed him for a total of 18 months.

“Domestic violence has a terrible effect on children,” he said.

Addressing Bradfield, he continued: “There is a catalogue of domestic violence against her. You were given a community punishment order in 2004 for an unpleasant assault and threatening behaviour.

“You attacked her, slapped and kicked her and threatened her.

“You have pulled her hair out and have thrown her on the floor and spat at her.

“I regard her as a foolish young woman. Men like you who drink excessively and commit repeated violence against their spouses have to be punished by the courts.

“The attitude of the courts on domestic violence has tightened up with the help of responsible women's groups and the courts are not doing their public duty unless they say enough is enough.

“This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.”