A man who spent two years controlling his ex-partner and subjecting her to domestic violence has been sent to prison.

Viktor Szajko, 41, pleaded guilty to repeatedly and continuously engaging in behaviour that was coercive and controlling, including making his ex-partner take a lie detector test, monitoring her phone and installing cameras in the home so he could watch her movements.

He also beat her on regular occasions.

This culminated in a final incident in June 2017 where he punched her repeatedly in the face, after which, the police became involved.

Preston Crown Court heard that in December 2015, Szajko, of Harvey Street, Nelson, had discovered his partner had been having an affair for a period of around five months.

Their relationship deteriorated dramatically and subsequently ended.

However, the couple remained living with each other until November 2016, when Szajko moved out of the home they shared.

While still living together, Szajko subjected his ex-partner to repeated violence, and insulted and humiliated her at her place of work, to the point where she regularly attended with injuries to her face and body.

Work colleagues said that she would sometimes try to cover these bruises up; other times she would tell them Szajko was responsible.

Judge Philip Parry said Szajko's violence towards his victim was a result of the humiliation he felt due to the affair.

He said: "This made you angry and you would have arguments that often ended with you beating her and dragging her down the stairs by her hair.

"You are a tall and powerfully built man compared to the victim, who is small and no match for you physically.

"You insulted and humiliated her, and attacked her with your fists, a woman of that size and stature over a period of time.

"This shows you to be nothing more than a jealous bully and a coward.

"Your offending against her has had a significant affect on her life."

Defending, Robert Lancaster said his client had no previous convictions either in the UK, or in his home country of Hungary, and asked for a non-immediate custodial sentence due to the fact Szajko had complied with all his bail conditions and adhered to the rules of the court between the time he was charged and his appearance in court.

Judge Parry said: "The context of your behaviour makes this more serious as it represents the violation of trust that normally exists between people who are in or have been in a relationship."

Szajko was sentenced to three years in prison and given a 10 year restraining order.