A man who attacked a woman four times in a week has been jailed.

Police were called to a house in Watford multiple times in September last year after Martin Sainty, 55, was said to have punched and strangled a woman.

The victim suffered severe bruising over her legs and body, as well as cuts and bruises to her face.

At the time she told officers that Sainty had specifically punched her in the face, pulled her hair, kicked her and attempted to strangle her.

Each time that police attended these calls within the week, Sainty was arrested but released on bail with strict conditions not to visit the woman.

On the third time police were called, officers found Sainty hiding in a wardrobe in the woman’s home.

Evidence was gathered to build a case against Sainty and officers worked to make sure hwas remanded while court proceedings were ongoing but it was found that Sainty was routinely breaching his bail conditions.

As a result, he was remanded in custody again until his hearing at St Albans Crown Court last week, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm and two of common assault.

HE was sentenced on November 11 with four sentences totalling two years and two months, to be served consecutively.

Detective Constable Natasha Crombie said: “This case involved teamwork on many levels, from the officers captured video and photo evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service and counsel who helped build the case against Sainty.

“The victim did not feel she could support police action. We understand that it is not always easy for people who are stuck in a cycle of abuse to fully understand what is happening.

“However, with this case and others, we’ve shown we can still build a strong case and hold perpetrators of abuse to account.

“I hope Sainty now reflects on his actions and the harm he has caused.”