A JUDGE told a drug and drink abuser he had treated his partner like “an animal”.

Marcus Babey, 24, pulled Deborah Murrell out of bed by her hair and pushed her downstairs where he kicked her. On another occasion, he put his hand around her throat in front of a mutual friend.

Prosecutor Tim Dracass told Southampton Crown Court that when police were called to their home one officer was showered with a “torrent” of abuse and challenged to a fight.

Babey was handcuffed after raising his arm as though he was about to strike the officer.

On the way to the police station, Babey spat at him.

Later he stamped on another officer’s left kneecap so violently the officer feared it had been broken. An X-ray however revealed a severe strain.

Babey, of High Street, Eastleigh, admitted three counts of common assault, one of causing actual bodily harm and one of provocation of violence.

He was jailed for 16 months by Judge Gary Burrell QC.