A MAN who kicked and stamped on his girlfriend while celebrating her birthday has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Liam Murray had been drinking with the woman during a night out in Redcar and was said to have no recollection of the attack, which left a footprint on her shoulder.

Prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court, Sue Jacobs described how the 22-year-old had earlier attempted to pick fights with two other men, before turning on his girlfriend as the pair made their way home.

She said Murray had drunk a large amount of vodka along with lager and cocktails on September 20 last year, which had begun with a birthday meal for the victim.

He was subsequently asked to leave the home of a friend – whom he had tried to attack – and then tried to start a fight with a dog walker.

Mrs Jacobs said the next thing the victim recalled was him throwing punches at her face.

“She is on the floor and he is kicking and stamping on her,” the prosecutor said.

She said a clear footprint had been left on the victim’s shoulder – a picture of which was shown to Judge Peter Bowers.

The woman, who suffered facial cuts, bruising and swelling, said she would be scarred for life from a cut she received above her eye.

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, said Murray, who admitted unlawful wounding, had a vague recollection of events.

Mr McReddie said as the defendant, of Whitby Way, Guisborough, who had previous convictions for battery, assault and breaching an Asbo, had been on remand in custody since September, he could be given a suspended jail sentence.

Judge Bowers rejected this, saying, the use of a boot had been “unforgiveable”.