A THUG who attacked his partner with a Samurai sword has been jailed for four years.

Businessman Warren Lever flew into a rage after he and his girlfriend returned to his home following a visit to the Nelson pub in Chorley Old Road.

Louise Brandon, prosecuting, told Bolton Crown Court how Lever was regularly violent and abusive towards his partner, had previously thrown a cup of tea at her her and hurled a dog across the room.

On October 27, 2015, after the visit to the pub, the pair had started to argue.

At Lever’s home the 39-year-old grabbed her by the throat and began to choke her.

After a time he let go and left the room, returning carrying a Samurai sword.

In front of Lever’s five-year-old son, he lifted up the sword and brought it down on her.

In a statement the victim told how she pulled her legs up and the sword hit her leg.

Her ankle was fractured and she needed seven stitches to a wound.

She said: “It is a good job I put my ankle up because he was going for my head,”

Despite her injury, the woman managed to escape the house, but did not immediately report the crime after Lever, of Crosby Road, Heaton, persuaded her to continue the relationship.

But Miss Brandon said that, three months later, Lever attacked her again after she confronted him about a text message she had seen from another woman.

He dragged her outside by the hair and she fled after he picked up a sword again.

When Lever continued to bombard her with text messages and phone calls, the woman went to police and he was arrested.

Lever pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and harassment.

Mark Friend, defending, said drinking had been part of Lever’s life at the time.

“This was a relationship that was destined for disaster,” he added.

“He was drinking far more than was good for him and his behaviour suffered as a result.”

Sentencing Lever to four years in prison, Judge Gioserano told him: “It is clear that during the course of your relationship with your partner you treated her in an appalling manner, subjecting her frequently to violence.

“I dismiss utterly any claim by you that this was any of her fault.

“She was vulnerable and suffered a serious injury which has left her with permanent problems.”

The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of three samurai swords found at Lever’s home and made a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim.