A SOUTHAMPTON man left a woman with fractured ribs after kicking and punching her while she slept on a sofa.

Laviniu Gal attacked his victim as she lay sleeping, a court heard.

The 45-year-old of Vine Road punched and kicked her all over her body.

Prosecution barrister, David Ryan told how she was left covered in bruises with an x-ray revealing fractures to two of her left ribs.

Laviniu Gal

Laviniu Gal

During another attack, Gal, a former window fitter slapped her to the eye with his open hand.

She eventually fled, spending a night outside Waterloo Train Station and had intended board a flight from Luton Airport and leave the country.

Gal has a previous conviction a robbery in Romania "which happened a long time ago".

Following his arrest, he gave a no comment police interview.

File photo dated 26/2/2018 of Waterloo Railway Station. Three small improvised explosive devices were found at buildings at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo train station in what the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command said was

File photo dated 26/2/2018 of Waterloo Railway Station. Three small improvised explosive devices were found at buildings at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport and Waterloo train station in what the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command said was

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, he was charged with assault by beating and actual bodily harm.

He previously pleaded guilty to the attacks which happened on December 4 and 5 last year.

Defending, Jane Rowley said there was no excuse for him beating the woman.

Barry Beardall appeared via live link at Southampton Crown Court

Barry Beardall appeared via live link at Southampton Crown Court

However, she argued for the judge to give him credit for entering a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.

Ms Rowley also mentioned prison conditions during the coronavirus pandemic and that Gal had been in custody since last year.

At sentence, Judge Gary Burrell QC said the assaults were serious. He added: "She was vulnerable, and it resulted in significant injury to her."

"You in short gave her a good kicking and punching. It was appalling behaviour."

He was jailed for 14-months and will be subject to a two-year restraining order.