A MAN who unleashed a vicious attack on his ex-partner has been jailed.

Bradford Crown Court heard Martin Holmes, 36, of Whin Knoll Avenue, Keighley, had a history of domestic abuse against his partners.

He was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to assault and affray charges.

Prosecutor Jessica Southcote-Want said the assault unfolded in January following an argument with his ex-partner.

Their son was with Holmes and she found him so drunk that, in her view, he was incapable of looking after the child and took him to her home address.

Around half an hour later, the defendant walked through the door, which was unlocked, picked up a television and slammed it back down.

The woman then went to her friend's house as she felt Holmes was going to "kick off", but she was not there so returned to the house and the attack began.

Holmes ran towards her, punched her in the head, grabbed her by the hair, slammed her face on the floor, causing her tooth to break in half, before biting her nose so hard she could hear it crunch. He also bit her on the cheek, continued to punch and bite her and also took her by the throat.

She managed to leave the house and raised the alarm with friends who then went to the property.

Holmes began making threats before taking out a carving knife, with a blade of around 16 to 17 inches, and lunging towards one of the friends.

When arrested he denied the offences and gave no comment to most of the questions asked.

In a statement read to the court, the woman described how Holmes was controlling and possessive during their relationship and she had felt isolated and constantly on edge. She described Holmes as "dangerous" and a "man possessed" during the attack.

The court heard of three other occasions when he had attacked different partners.

Ken Green, for Holmes, said he accepts he has a problem and has identified he needs assistance with his anger and temper.

Recorder Ray Singh told Holmes they were serious offences, seriously aggravated by his previous convictions.

He sentenced him to 27 months in custody and also handed him an indefinite restraining order against his ex-partner.