A YOUNG woman was 'kicked like a football' by her violent boyfriend during a three-hour attack in which she was stripped naked on dark, isolated heathland at knifepoint.

Drunk thug Liam Gregory flew into a rage when his partner asked why he had returned home from a night out with make-up on his top.

Gregory slammed the 23-year-old's head against the door and threw her around the house 'like a ragdoll' before dragging her out into Canford Heath.

He told her to take her clothes off before punching and kicking her in the head and body. He then pinned her against a tree and held a carving knife to her face.

The victim's ordeal only came to an end when she managed to headbutt him in her panic, causing him to collapse.

Battered and bruised, she ran back to the house to grab her belongings and get a taxi to her mum's house. There, she called police.

She was left with two black eyes, a swollen jaw and cuts and bruises all over her body as a result of the horrific attack.

Gregory, 25 and of Chedington Close in Canford Heath, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and threatening a person with a bladed article.

He prolonged the case earlier this week by refusing to get into a prison van as he didn't want to go to another jail after the hearing.

His protest meant the original sentencing hearing had to be adjourned and the victim had to attend court yet again.

Gregory was jailed for two years and ten months by a judge at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday.

The victim, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since the attack, said in an impact statement which was read aloud to the court: "I have become a shadow of myself. I cannot eat, sleep or socialise. I am practically a prisoner in my own home due to anxiety and stress.

"I cry daily. This is no way to live. I'm 23, I should be living my life to the fullest, I should be independent but instead I rely heavily on my parents.

"Without my family's support I doubt I would be here today. It has taken every ounce of my strength to keep going.

"I am disgusted, angry and upset. I trusted him and I cannot believe someone I cared for could hurt me like this.

"He has destroyed me as a person and I will never forgive him for this but I am determined he will not do this to anyone else."

She had been in a relationship with Gregory for five months before the attack in September last year.

Tom Wright, prosecuting, said: "Gregory returned home heavily intoxicated, dishevelled from the night's events and still drinking vodka.

"He had foundation [make-up] on his shoulder and when the victim challenged him about that he became very angry. He immediately became aggressive and scary."

Mr Wight said Gregory grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground before slamming against a door.

The attack then carried on outside on Canford Heath.

Gregory has previous convictions for similar violent attacks on an ex-partner and was subject to a suspended sentence when he committed the most recent assault.

Tim Compton, mitigating, said Gregory had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

"He had a less than ideal childhood, that doesn't excuse his behaviour but does explain it," the barrister said.

"His mother was an alcoholic and took drugs and she was abusive towards him. His stepfather would hit him when he was a small child as if he was an adult.

"That's the household he grew up in and the norms he was brought up with."

As well as jailing Gregory, Judge Peter Crabtree OBE imposed a restraining order until further notice preventing him from contacting the victim or her mother.

The judge said: "Your violence extended over a number of hours. Once on the heath, the victim feared for her life. At one point you pulled a knife out telling her you were going to stab her.

"She suffered multiple bruises, grazes and cuts. To say they were all over her body would not be an understatement.

"It's plain that your conduct had significant and enduring effects on both her physical and mental health.

"She should have been treated with respect, you abused your trust and power and her life has been entirely changed."

As Gregory is in custody, the Daily Echo has applied for his custody picture from Dorset Police.