A GLOWING reference from his boss helped a defendant who had admitted assault and drugs charges to escape an immediate prison sentence.

But the judge had been conned – the letter was fictitious.

Now Jessie Fleisher, 38, of no fixed abode, faces the prospect of a lengthy stretch behind bars after he admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by claiming it had been written by Mark Tilbury.

Recorder Michael Parroy QC heard last month how Fleisher had beaten up his then partner when he threw her on the sofa and repeatedly punched her. Nurse Gemma Jarman however got her revenge as she was being treated in hospital for her injuries by telling police he had been keeping cannabis in a shed at the bottom of their garden.

Officers duly went to the scene and recovered cannabis with a street value of up to £3,000 as well as deal bags.

The judge said he had been impressed by the contents of the reference before giving Fleisher, who admitted causing actual bodily harm and possessing cannabis with intent to supply, a 12-month suspended sentence coupled with two years’ supervision.

But after the case, Ms Jarman became aware of the court proceedings and was surprised Mr Tilbury would have written in those terms.

In fact, said prosecutor Dawn Hyland, Mr Tilbury not only confirmed he had not written the letter but also revealed Fleisher had not been at work for weeks before he was sentenced, which was a breach of his bail terms.

The barrister said the nurse was so in fear of her former partner that she had gone to live in Weymouth.

However he had also moved to the resort and was living one or two streets away.

She added that Fleisher was an overstayer who had once been deported but had returned to Britain under a different name and a false passport.

Judge Keith Cutler ordered a transcript of Recorder Parroy’s remarks and that Fleisher should be remanded in custody to be sentenced by him as soon as possible.

“I can’t trust you,” said the judge, explaining to defence counsel Andrew Coley why he was refusing Fleisher bail.

“He might run away and there is potential he might commit further offences. It is a serious matter trying to mislead a court with a bogus reference.”