A Bristol man who beat up his girlfiend in a row over access to children has been jailed for four years.

Bristol Crown Court was told Louise White sent text messages to the mother of James Williamson's children when she was drunk.

When Williamson learned he had been denied contact with his youngsters at Christmas as a result, he smashed her in the face, breaking her nose, fracturing her cheekbone and loosening her teeth.

Williamson, 41, who was living in a caravan in Bristol, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm early this month.

Jailing him for four years, Judge John Foley told him: "It's obvious there has to be an immediate custodial sentence in this case.

"Women have to be protected from the dreadful, prolonged violence in this case.

"You have to be punished, and the punishment has to be severe and condign."

William Hunter, prosecuting, told the court Williamson had been seeing Miss White without telling her he had had contact with his ex-partner and mother of his children in Nottingham.

Mr Hunter said that, on December 10, Williamson visited Miss White's flat at Royate Hill after receiving a text message, and he subjected her to an assault in which he punched her several times and kicked her to the face - telling her: "You're lucky I like you."

Mr Hunter said there had been an exchange of texts between Miss White and Williamson's ex-partner, which prompted the attack.

He told the court: "He forced Miss White to talk to his ex and tell her she had lied about being with him.

"The police arrived and they heard the victim say, 'Please help me, he's trying to kill me.'

"Police entered the flat and they found the victim distressed, injured and frightened."

While Miss White received hospital treatment, Williamson was arrested, but made no comment in interview.

The court heard he had previous convictions for violence, including a three-year jail term for wounding with intent with a knife.

Julie Phillips, defending, told the court: "My client fully accepts this has to be an immediate prison sentence."

Miss Phillips told the court, though her client had had an intimate relationship with Miss White, as far as she was concerned, that ended in the summer.

She said that the messages sent to Williamson's ex-partner had caused a great impact for him because his ex had withdrawn all contact between him and his children at Christmas.

Miss Phillips said: "This led him to ask Miss White why she had sent the messages and she apologised by text, saying she was drunk at the time."

The court heard that, when Williamson went to Miss White's flat, initially to have a shower, his anger got the better of him and he carried out an assault which he accepted was entirely inappropriate, for which there was no excuse.

Miss Phillips added: "He knows he puts himself in the most serious range for this offence.

"He does show shame and he does show remorse, and he did not intend to cause the injury he did.

"He lost his temper and went too far."