A 44-year-old father of eight was handed a suspended prison sentence yesterday for beating up an ex-girlfriend.

Desai Jones, of Warwick, was given an 18-month prison sentence, but magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo suspended the sentence for two years.

Jones was also given two years’ probation and ordered to undergo anger management and abstain from the use of all controlled drugs.

He had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm in connection with the incident in February.

Elizabeth Christopher, Jones’s lawyer, told Magistrates’ Court that her client had started a relationship with the complainant while in the early stages of recovery.

Ms Christopher added: “Mr Jones does feel remorse — not just for the incident, but for the relationship.”

Mr Tokunbo said that Jones had a “history of violence”, which included unprovoked incidents against men and women.

Ms Christopher said that Jones was willing to participate in probation, programmes and drug treatment.

She added: “This is an opportunity for him to make a fresh start.”

Jones told the court he was “very remorseful” over the incident.

He said that his recent time in custody had been the hardest period he had spent behind bars.

Jones said: “I’m in jail right now with my 21-year-old son.”

He added to Mr Tokunbo: “The person that you know isn’t standing in front of you. My anger is over.”

Jones was bailed to attend court services on Friday.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding court cases. As we are legally liable for any slanderous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.