A JOBLESS man who smeared dog excrement over the face of a pregnant teenager has been jailed for four years.

Ryan Elsworth, of Brompton, near Northallerton, also punched and kicked the girl.

Teesside Crown Court heard the 21-year-old, of Hilton Square, Brompton, held the girl against her will for nearly three hours before police were alerted in April.

Elsworth, who pleaded guilty to assault and false imprisonment, left the victim covered in bruises, facial cuts and fearing for the health of her unborn child.

Detective Constable Sarah Campbell said: “This was a disturbing and sustained assault which has had a lasting effect on the victim, leaving her living in fear for both herself and her baby.

“I hope the sentence handed out to Elsworth allows the victim to move on with her life and also gives other victims the confidence to come forward to the police in the knowledge that the police and criminal justice service will take their report seriously and do everything they can to bring the perpetrators to justice.”