Man jailed over threat to kill partner and her baby

Reece Marshall was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Friday

A man who repeatedly assaulted and threatened to kill his partner and her baby has been jailed.

Police say Reece Marshall's months of abuse came to light after the woman reported that he was at her house in Ripley, Derbyshire, on 16 November 2023, and was threatening her with a hammer.

On a previous occasion, the 34-year-old attacked her "so brutally" that he burst her kidney and broke her rib.

He was jailed for 15 months at Derby Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and harassment causing fear of violence.

Marshall, of Herries Road in Sheffield, was also handed a restraining order banning him from having any contact with the woman for five years.

Det Con Joseph Collard, of Derbyshire Police, said: "Marshall's behaviour towards his partner was simply horrific.

"He left her living in constant fear for both her life and that of her baby.

"She was controlled and subjected to brutal assaults on more than one occasion, and I hope that following Marshall being jailed that she is now able to begin looking towards the future."