A CONTROLLING bully who subjected his partner to a catalogue of violence has been jailed for three years.

Lee Ravenhill, 27, of The Cross, Williton, was also banned for life from contacting his ex.

Taunton Crown Court heard that his six month reign of terror included: *locking her out of the house at night and telling her he would slit her throat if she did not return at 5am; *trying to push her out of the car as he drove and then punching her in the head; *hitting her over the head with a broom handle when she fell on the floor; *threatening to follow her after an argument so that she had to go home to care for the children; *smacking her head until she saw stars when she was curled up on the sofa.

The victim told police all about her relationship after she was picked up crying and with her fleece ripped in the early hours in October last year after Ravenhill locked her out in the rain.

The court was told their “extremely volatile relationship” was littered with heated arguments in which Ravenhill would often become violent and threaten to kill her.

Harry Ahuja, defending, said his client, who had been using cannabis since he was 11, is apologetic and regrets his behaviour, although he claims some of the accusations have been exaggerated.

Judge David Ticehurst read a letter from the victim in which she claimed she had been abused physically, mentally and verbally “to within an inch of my life” in front of the children.

The judge said: “I can only think as to the effect on a young child seeing a parent behave like that towards another.”

Ravenhill was jailed for nine months (to run concurrent of each other) on two counts of making threats to kill; six months (concurrent) for damaging property; and three months on each of three counts for assault by beating (all consecutive).

At the same hearing he was jailed for three months (concurrent) for possession of cannabis; six months (consecutive) for producing cannabis to supply to friends and acquaintances; and 12 months (consecutive) for dangerous driving.

He was also given a restraining order banning him for life from contacting his former partner and ordered to pay £120 victim surcharge.