BBC Look East

A man who referred himself to a domestic violence prevention programme has challenged others to be "totally honest" and make a change.

Speaking of the moment he punched his partner so hard she needed plastic surgery, he said: "At the time I thought I was right in what I was doing... it was when I was arrested that I felt absolutely devastated about what I had done.

Image source, Thinkstock

"It dawned on me what I had done. I was shown pictures by the police. I hurt her and this was someone I loved, someone I really cared about and I'd caused this pain to her."

Figures from Respect showed 668 men self-referred to such programmes last year. In the east of England, it included 24 referrals in Essex and 11 in Hertfordshire.

A number of our police forces are launching campaigns leading up to Christmas. In this region it's estimated 142,000 and 81,000 men were victims of domestic abuse in the last year.

Here's the latest update from our travel team:

Image source, PA

• Delays of up to 60 minutes and some services cancelled between Audley End and Newport 
• Replacement bus service running between Ipswich and Colchester due to broken down freight train at Manningtree
• Service suspended between Sudbury (Suffolk) and Marks Tey (Essex) due to broken down train  

BBC Look East

"Prison, without a shadow of a doubt. Prison and rightfully so."

The words of one man speculating where he would have been if he hadn't referred himself for treatment after punching his partner so hard she needed plastic surgery.

Image source, PA

Domestic abuse charities in the east of England have told us that working closely with perpetrators is key to breaking the cycle of violence. They say a growing number of men are approaching them for help.  

Figures from men's charity Respect shows 668 men nationally accepted referrals to such programmes last year.

Town midfielder Teddy Bishop has Tweeted about the ankle injury he picked up in training this week.

Yesterday, manager Mick McCarthy said he was struggling to be ready for tonight's match at Birmingham City and it's now feared he could be out for a month.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

We're in for a cloudy day with outbreaks of rain, which will be heavy at times.

It'll become dry later and mild, with temperatures reaching 12C (53F).

Here's my full regional forecast:

You can find more details on BBC Weather.

Hordes of angry commuters talking about the delays on Greater Anglia has got the service trending UK-wide on Twitter, external.

Image source, Twitter

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Thanks for joining us.

The best advice we can offer if you need to make a journey by train is to check before you travel - Greater Anglia have been warning of major problems, external for travellers between Norwich and Liverpool Street due to a broken down freight train, and Sudbury to Marks Tey services have also been suspended.

We're hoping to hear from the rail provider shortly, and will let you know what they have to say.

Kate Kinsella will bring us the day's weather prospects too.

After exactly a year off social media Ed Sheeran posts a cryptic image of a blue square on all his sites.

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Our live coverage is coming to a close until 08:00 tomorrow, unless a major story breaks in the county overnight.

Before we go, here's a recap of some of the stories we've been looking at:

• Former Waveney MP and government minister Lord James Prior has died at the age of 89
• A teenager has made a two court appearances today in connection with two murders
• The widow of a man killed by a drink-driver says her heart "is broken"
• A Christmas card bearing the address "somewhere near the sea in Suffolk" has been successfully delivered

Have a good evening, whatever you're doing.

A former leader of Suffolk County Council has paid tribute to Lord Jim Prior, who has died, aged 89.

Mark Bee said Lord Prior was a "big influence" on him, and remembered while he was still at school, going to interview the former Waveney MP, saying he "took the time and trouble to deal with a young whippersnapper like me".

BBC Travel

The A14 is partially blocked in both directions at J53 (A1156 Whitehouse) in Ipswich.

Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weather

It'll be a misty, murky night with further outbreaks of light rain and drizzle that will eventually clear to the North Sea. 

It’ll then be largely dry with some clear intervals, and lows of 5C (41F).

Tomorrow will see a dry start for many, although cloud will thicken as another band of rain moves in from the west.

Highs of 12C (54F).

Get the full forecast where you live, from BBC Weather.

Ben Parker
BBC Suffolk sport

 Ipswich Town's U23s were in action this afternoon, losing 3-1 away to Coventry City. 

That makes it three losses in a row for Gerard Nash's side.

Adam McDonnell, Ben Morris and Shane McLoughlin all featured for the Blues.

During James Prior's period of office as Northern Ireland secretary there was a reduction of violence in the province...

During an interview with BBC Radio Norfolk in 1984, Mr Prior said that he'd done probably as much as he could in Ulster and that maybe it was time to return to the back benches.

His remarks provoked a great deal of criticism, and although he later apologised for his unwise error, many believed the slip was deliberate as there had already been rumours of a cabinet re-shuffle.

Image source, PA

In July 1984, he acknowledged for the first time in the Commons that he intended to leave his post in the re-shuffle, planned for September. 

When he resigned, the possibility of some progress being made towards peace in Ulster was more hopeful than at any time during the previous decade. Mr Prior stated he was giving up full-time politics, but would continue to support the government from the back-benches.

Lord Prior's eldest son, David, followed in his father's footsteps and became MP for North Norfolk in 1997, serving until 2001. He was made a life peer when appointed a health minister in David Cameron's government in 2015, a position he retains under Theresa May.

Six people are arrested on suspicion of disorder offences at a travellers' site in Ipswich.

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

James Prior, who became the Conservative MP for the old Lowestoft constituency in 1959, was reputed to be one of Edward Heath's closest cabinet colleagues.

He was Mr Heath's Parliamentary Private Secretary for five years while the Conservatives were in opposition and one of his campaign managers during the victorious 1970 general election.

Early in 1975, Mr Prior was one of four candidates defeated by Margaret Thatcher in the contest for leadership of the Conservative party after Mr Heath stood down. 

Image source, Family photo

Mrs Thatcher made him a member of her shadow cabinet, where as opposition spokesman on employment he encouraged a conciliatory approach to the unions.

When Mrs Thatcher came to power in 1979, Jim Prior became employment minister (he is pictured on the front row, second from the left) with responsibility for getting through trade union reforms. 

During his later period of office as Northern Ireland secretary there was a reduction of violence in the province, although it's impossible to say how much of this was Mr Prior's responsibility.

About My Area

Sudbury could not quite manage a win against fourth placed Thurrock but did hold them to a draw, external at Whittome Field on Saturday.