A man has been jailed for subjecting his partner to years of abuse during which he hit her with a metal pole.

Eric Walker, 47, punched, kicked and hit his partner with a pole in an attack which lasted more than five hours in October last year.

Walker, from Battersea, was jailed at Kingston Crown Court yesterday for a total of seven-and-a-half years after being found guilty of grievous bodily harm, wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Police were called to a south London hospital on October 8 after Walker’s victim had been admitted with head injuries he had inflicted.

She said they had argued in the early hours of the morning over a broken glass before he carried out the severe and prolonged attack.

The woman went to work that morning but a colleague called an ambulance for her.

She had a swollen face, cut head, bruises and swollen arms. Her knees, ankles and hips were also swollen.

She told police Walker had beaten her for several years.

A police manhunt ensued until Walker was arrested on October 10. Throughout his interview he gave “no comment” and he was charged the next day.

Detective Constable Aled Thomas said: “Walker instilled such a level of fear that even when she was in pain, the victim was too scared to tell anyone.

“The bravery she showed by speaking to police and hospital staff in October proved vital in leading to Walker's conviction and the amount of time he will spend in prison.

"I would like to praise her for the strength and courage she has shown.”