A SOMERSET man who received a community sentence for domestic abuse has been jailed after the Court of Appeal intervened.

Joshua Dalgarno, 25, used abusive and violent behaviour to control his partner over a three-month period.

He was regularly violent towards her and on one occasion stabbed her in the leg with a pen knife between July and September last year.

On another, he smashed her head against a windscreen.

Much of the violence took place in September, when Dalgarno knew she was pregnant.

When his partner was admitted to hospital with an infection, he accused her of lying about the infection and threatened to pull her drip out.

Throughout the relationship, Dalgarno repeatedly accused his partner of being unfaithful, controlled use of her phone and isolated her from her family.

He regularly took cocaine, which made his violent behaviour worse.

Dalgarno was initially arrested last August, but continued to be abusive toward the victim after his release.

He was then arrested again the following month and released subject to bail conditions that stipulated he was not to contact his partner.

Dalgarno ignored those conditions and stole her car, driving to her sister’s home, where he tried to break down the door.

He was subsequently arrested again and charged with controlling and coercive behaviour, taking a conveyance without authority and causing criminal damage.

Dalgarno was sentenced to a 24-month community order on December 16 at Taunton Crown Court.

Following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, today (Tuesday) the sentence was found to be unduly lenient and has been increased to a custodial sentence of 3 years’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing the Solicitor General Michael Ellis QC MP said: "Dalgarno is an extremely dangerous individual.

"His actions caused severe harm to his former partner and those around her.

"I wanted to present this case to the Court of Appeal judges personally today because of the abhorrent nature of the crimes committed by this man and to send a message that cases of domestic abuse are treated seriously.

"I welcome his sentence being increased today."