Violent drunk Michael Doherty deliberately flouted a restraining order forbidding him from going near his lover and paid the price yesterday.

He was jailed for 16 months after a court heard how, after meeting up with the woman, he left her battered and bruised.

Doherty, of St Albans Road , Watford, appeared at St Albans crown court for sentence.

He admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on May 6, three offences of acting in breach of a restraining order, two offences of assault by beating and putting a person in fear of violence by harassment.

Isobel Delamere prosecuting told the court Doherty had been in a tempestuous relationship with the woman, with episodes of violence and breakups followed by reconciliations.

Then last September, for two offences of battery on the 50 year old woman, he was made the subject of a restraining order at Central Herts Magistrates Court. It prevented him from going to her home in Watford, harming or intimidating her.

But the court heard on May 6 the pair met at the Long Island Hotel in Rickmansworth.

The pair were both described in court as heavy drinkers and when an argument broke out between them, he punched and kicked her causing bruising to her arms, tummy and legs.

Two days later they met again at a hotel in Bushey.

Once more, said Miss Delamere, both were drunk and when he saw her talking to another man he shoved him and attacked her once more, putting his hands around her throat.

Three days later and the pair were back at the Long Island Hotel. Once more there was more violence by him towards her when he accused her of seeing another man and the police were called and he was arrested.

In a police interview he said he was alcohol dependant and when "in drink" he would become angry.

He said he couldn't recall attacking his girlfriend.

Dawn Pearson defending said Doherty was remorseful for his treatment of the woman and knew his behaviour was completely unacceptable.

She said that following the death of his father and losing his job he had suffered depression and began drinking heavily.

Miss Pearson described the relationship between Doherty and the woman as "complicated" and said it was continuing.

Following his arrest, Doherty was remanded in custody, but the court was told that since then the woman has visited him five times in prison.

Judge Andrew Bright QC jailed Doherty for 16 months.