A WOMAN who was viciously beaten by her partner claimed she had Covid symptoms to avoid going out and people seeing her battered face.

Violent Dean Paul punched his girlfriend in a “frenzied” attack and her head against the floor.

At Bolton Crown Court 43-year-old Paul, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 14 months in prison.

Justin Hayhoe, prosecuting, told how Paul and the woman had known each other for several years before forming a relationship.

But the court heard how, after they had been out in drinking on the evening of August 1, 2020, they returned her home in Bolton.

Paul became angry after she commented about how he had turned his life around. He swore and verbally abusing her before he punched her, leaving her with a black eye.

Mr Hayhoe added that Paul then pushed her into the living room where he continued his attack, banging her head into the floor, causing cuts and a blood-stained carpet.

The woman fled upstairs but Paul followed her and when she tried to ring a friend to ask for help, he grabbed phones and threw them away

He also hid the computer keyboard and mouse to prevent her from contacting the police.

Judge Eliot Knopf heard how Paul eventually agreed to her demands for him to leave but she did not seek medical help for the “mess” Paul had left her face in.

Her injuries, which included black eyes, a swollen face, bruising and a cut lip, were visible for several weeks.

“She says that she went on to pretend she had Covid symptoms to avoid seeing people so that she didn’t have to explain the injuries to her face,” said Mr Hayhoe

Paul, who has an extensive criminal record, including for violence against partners, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

Mark Friend, defending, mentioned Paul’s troubled childhood saying he has past trauma he needs to deal with and although he has conquered his heroin addiction, still has problems with crack cocaine.

Jailing him, Judge Knopf told Paul he had committed a “frenzied attack” against his partner

“On any analysis, this was an appalling attack,” he said.

“It must have been absolutely terrifying for this woman who was not able to defend herself from being beaten by you.”

A restraining order was made banning him from contacting his former partner.