A drunk man who knocked out two of his partner’s front teeth and held her by the neck over bannisters at the top of a staircase has been jailed for 27 months.

Charlie Harris had been banned from contacting the woman by a restraining order after he assaulted her on an earlier occasion but she had gone to stay with him in Beccles at the end of May last year, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

On June 2, police received a telephone call from the woman, who was at Beccles railway station, saying she had been attacked by Harris after he had become angry after drinking vodka.

She claimed he had punched her in the mouth, knocking out two of her front teeth and had then grabbed her round the neck and held over bannisters at the top of a staircase.

After letting go of her he had kicked her as she went down the stairs, causing her to fall down several steps and had then kicked her in the head and back.

East Anglian Daily Times: Harris was jailed at Ipswich Crown CourtHarris was jailed at Ipswich Crown Court (Image: Suffolk police)

She locked herself in the bathroom during the incident before leaving the house and calling the police.

Harris, 33, of St Matthew’s Avenue, Beccles, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and breaching a restraining order.

In addition to being jailed, he was banned from contacting the victim for three years.

In an impact statement, the victim said she hadn’t been able to afford dental treatment for the teeth that were knocked out by Harris and she still suffered severe back pain as a result of being kicked by him.

She said she had lost confidence and hadn’t worked since the incident.

She added: "If I hadn’t got out of the house when I did, I wouldn’t be here as I believe he would have killed me."

Matthew Edwards, for Harris, said the victim had willingly gone to stay with the defendant despite there being a restraining order banning contact between them.

He said Harris had a drink problem and realised he "needed to sort himself out".