The home should be a place of sanctuary where people can rest, recuperate and relax with their loved ones.

For some, though, that idea is turned on its head by domestic violence, and what should be a safe haven is, instead, a place of suffering.

Not only can this despicable crime leave physical scars but mental ones too, for it is often as much about the sick desire to dominate a person psychologically as it is physically.

Sometimes the abuse is so relentless and remorseless that it robs victims of the self-worth and courage necessary for them to break away from their tormentors or seek help, and so the cycle continues.

It is truly a dreadful crime, but one which thankfully is handled much better than in years gone by.

Where once society seemed reluctant to interfere beyond a person’s front door, now victims of domestic violence can expect to be taken seriously and treated with compassion. The way the police look after them and gather evidence is much improved. And they are even prepared to target known offenders in a bid to prevent new attacks.

All of this makes a powerful statement that such crimes will not be tolerated.

But that would count for nothing if the courts did not hand out tough sentences.

Yesterday’s jailing of a Bradford man who brutally beat his partner is the sort of punishment that fits the crime.