A NORTHAMPTON man spent Christmas behind bars after beating up his girlfriend at a hotel in a drink-fuelled rage.

James Brown, formerly of St Andrews Road, was confronted by police after staff at the Moxy Hotel in Slough contacted officers over concerns for his partner’s welfare.

This came after CCTV footage showed Brown assaulting his partner in a corridor on December 19.

The couple were staying in the hotel in order to visit Brown’s family for Christmas.

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They had drinks at the hotel’s bar but Brown got aggressive when they returned to their room as a man had supposedly winked at the woman.

Here, Brown smashed bottles and pushed the woman to the floor and punched her in the face.

She left their room with a suitcase but Brown caught up with her and further assaulted her, slamming her face into the wall and pushing her to the ground.

As she remained on the floor Brown grabbed the woman’s suitcase and hit her with it.

A further struggle ensued before Brown started going through the woman’s suitcase (something his defence counsel claimed was an innocent act as he was searching for a room key and a bank card).

Hotel staff enquired about her injuries -- which included a swollen eye, a sore shoulder and cuts to her face -- but she said she had caused them herself.

The next day, Brown was arrested by officers after hotel staff called police over concerns for the woman’s welfare.

She did not assist police in their enquiries. Brown was taken into custody after admitting assault at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 21.

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Natasha Lake, prosecuting, said Brown had previous convictions including possession of an offensive weapon for which he was sentenced in 2012.

He was also awaiting sentence for causing criminal damage to the same woman’s car.

Mark Kimsey, defending, said Brown’s drinking and his ‘volatile relationship’ with the victim were factors the court should keep in mind when considering his sentence.

“The reason we are here is because Mr Brown keeps punching [the victim] in the face”, His Honour Judge Dugdale responded.

Mr Kimsey hit back, however, telling the court Brown was a “hard-working individual” who is “respected by his family and friends”.

“He is somebody who when not under the influence of drink is a positive member of the community”, the defence barrister continued.

Judge Dugdale, sentencing, said CCTV of the incident played in court should have ‘appalled’ Brown.

He continued by explaining to Brown why domestic abuse cases are dealt with in such strong terms.

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The judge said: “Half the [domestic abuse] matters that we deal with at Reading Crown Court are men killing their partners.

“And the situations that give rise to that kind of problem is exactly what we have watched on CCTV just now.

“It may well be that two people coming together leads to problems. It doesn’t really matter.

“The fact is that when you get into difficulties with her [the victim] you use physical violence against her.

“Nine times out of ten, when people say they are not good for each other, that may be right, but it is also often often that the man ends up beating up the woman.

“It may well be that drink is a trigger of this kind of behaviour -- then don’t drink.

“When you are at work your employer thinks you are outstanding.

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“But you’re a totally different person when you’re with a partner and you have have a lot to drink.”

Judge Dugdale summed up by saying the offence was so serious that he could only hand an immediate prison sentence to Brown.

The 34-year-old was given a 14-month prison term after being sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday, March 2.