A VIOLENT man will spend years behind bars after he stabbed his partner in the leg.

Mason Fleming, 35, of Moray Drive, Slough, appeared before Reading Crown Court today (March 11).

He previously pleaded guilty to a string of serious charges, including breach of restraining order, controlling or coercive behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and wounding with intent.

These are all related to Fleming's abuse of a woman throughout 2023.

At the time of the offending, the defendant was in a relationship with his victim.

Judge Neil Millard said that Fleming had an "appalling" criminal record, including a number of violent offences - for which he had already spent time in jail.

The court heard that, on one occasion, he stabbed his partner in the leg during a row.

He also made threats to kill the woman - including by getting some contacts from his time in prison to "sort her out."

Judge Millard told Fleming: "It's quite clear that you manipulated her, and she felt unable to leave the relationship."

The stabbing incident was prompted by an argument, in which Fleming accused his partner of cheating on him with a drug dealer.

The victim did not tell the authorities about the attack - and Fleming was only arrested after the woman disclosed the abuse during a therapy session. The psychologist then referred the matter to the police.

A number of other violent incidents with Fleming subsequently came to light.

This included an attack in June 2023, in which the defendant pushed his thumb into his victim's eye, leaving her with a bruise.

Judge Millard detailed the toll the abuse had taken on the woman.

He told Fleming: "I've read her victim impact statements, and her witness statements, and it's quite clear the difficulty this relationship has caused her.

"She describes you completely ruining her life, and stripping away her personality."

Laura Collier, defending Fleming, said her client had shown remorse for his actions - including concern for his victim.

She told the court: "There has been a real sea-change in his attitude from the self-pitying man that committed the offence in 2023, and the man who is now taking responsibility for his actions, and demonstrating insight into the extremely devastating impact his actions have had on her [his former partner]."

In the end, Judge Millard jailed Fleming for four-and-a-half years.

He will serve half of this sentence on licence.