AN IPSWICH man is today behind bars after repeatedly punching his partner in the face during an argument.

AN IPSWICH man is today behind bars after repeatedly punching his partner in the face during an argument.

At Ipswich Crown Court yesterday Roderick Clipstone was sentenced to 21 months in prison after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his then partner Julie Fosker at her Ipswich address last year.

The court heard how Clipstone, 56, of Reynolds Road, had been involved in an on-off relationship with Ms Fosker for nine years. On December 6, 2007, Clipstone had visited her and the pair then went to town to buy a bottle of vodka.

They finished the one litre bottle between them back at her house and then an argument broke out as Ms Fosker had concerns Clipstone was seeing another woman.

Prosecuting Peter Gair told the court that Clipstone slapped her very hard twice across the face and then punched her in the face, causing her to fall to the floor.

He continued to punch her as got up and again, she fell to the floor.

As a result of the attack, she suffered a cut lip, lumps on her back and head and bruises.

Clipstone was arrested by police on January 29 when he was spotted in town. He initially denied the offence, claiming that her injuries could have been self-inflicted. He denies he was drunk.

The court heard how Clipstone had previous convictions for assaulting the same victim.

Mitigating, Nick Hoffman said: “It appears he feels the affection he shows her is not reciprocated and at times, it leads him to become very upset and angry. He knows it is simply not acceptable. He does regret what he has done and the breakdown of the relationship.”

It was heard that in both January 2001 and again in April 2005 Clipstone was convicted of ABH on Ms Fosker.

Judge Neil McKittrick said: “This was a sustained attack after you and she had been drinking.

“I'm losing patience with you and your violence. Custody and only custody can be imposed for this.”

He was sentenced to 21 months in prison, minus the 149 days he has already spent on remand.

Have you been a victim of domestic violence? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk