A MAN whose record is "as bad as it could be" has been sentenced after assaulting three women in Bolton.

Daniel Cox, aged 30, had just been released from jail after completing a sentence for assault when he assaulted his new partner.

The attack, which resulted in actual bodily harm, happened at a property in Dawson Lane, Bolton.

Bolton Crown Court was told that Cox's new girlfriend met him outside the prison in Warwick on November 3 to travel to Bolton, where she had friends. The couple were hoping start a new life together with her children.

The couple were staying at her friend’s property, ahead of arranging their own accommodation.

Within hours, Cox became heavily intoxicated and accused his partner of infidelity.

He then assaulted her in the early hours of the morning while the two were in bed together, using both of his fists in a repeated and sustained manner. He also "strangled" the victim, leaving her with bruising across her face and a black eye.

When the main resident of the accommodation returned home with another friend she called the police.

Cox then turned his rage on them too, beating them both.

The court also heard that a child was at the address, although it is not believed they saw any of the assaults take place.

Cox fled the scene before police arrived, however he later pleaded guilty to the charges.

Judge Timothy Stead said the victim was "completely defenceless. She took a battering”.

He added that Cox had assaulted the woman while she was especially vulnerable, as the two were alone together at night.

He also highlighted Cox’s long history of previous crimes against women.

Judge Stead said Cox’s record is “as bad as it could be,” featuring 44 offences and 21 convictions.

His first conviction of a similar offence was in 2006, when he assaulted a police officer.

Following this incident, Cox’s assault victims have all been against women who were his partners at the time.

The judge commented that Cox “doesn’t know how to deal with the ups and downs” of relationships, instead resorting to violence.

In a statement, his victim said: “I can’t even be around my children because of the state of my face.”

Cox was sentenced to 16 months in prison. He has also been forbidden to contact the three women and being on Dawson Lane.