A man has been jailed for 18 months after he threw a wine bottle at the victim and refused to let her leave the house.

Gary Saunders, 50 and of Paceycombe Way in Dorchester, pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour.

He was given an 18 month sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, March 1.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said they received a report of an assault at the defendant's address at 7.46pm on Saturday, November 11.

Saunders had thrown a bottle of wine, which hit his victim on the head.

Officers attended and Saunders refused to open the front door. He also refused to allow his victim - a woman aged in her 50s - to leave the address.

As the victim tried to leave the address, Saunders grabbed her hands and pushed her back from the door. 

She suffered injuries including bruising and lumps to both eye sockets, lumps to her head and bruising to her right forearm.

Officers managed to gain entry to the address and Saunders was arrested.

Dorchester neighbourhood Inspector Neil Wood, said: "This case goes to show our commitment to protecting those at risk from domestic abuse and to bringing those who commit such offences to justice.

“Controlling and coercive behaviour causes significant harm to victims and their families. Perpetrators need to know that reports of this sort of abuse will be pursued and investigated.

“There is help and support available for those suffering from domestic abuse, please visit www.dorset.police.uk/da for more information.”