A VICIOUS thug, who dragged the mother of his baby through the streets of Macclesfield town centre by her hair, has been jailed for four months by the town's magistrates.

And this week police and a domestic violence group hailed the prison sentence as a victory for the victims of domestic abuse and a solemn warning to "wife beaters".

Builder, skinhead Adrian Armitt, 34, of Richmond Place, Macclesfield, was sent down after he admitted assault by beating.

And later Inspector Gary Simpson, head of Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said:"Violent crime is the only crime that has risen in Cheshire this year and a large part of that takes place behind closed doors - it is not all fights at chucking-out time.

"By jailing Armitt, rather than opting for a community punishment or rehabilitation order, the magistrates have sent out a message that domestic violence will not be tolerated."

And Paula Joan-Rogers, a spokesman from the Macclesfield Domestic Violence Forum said: "This is good news. There was a time when domestic abuse was simply ignored by police but those days are over. Abuse within the home is a big problem, not just in Macclesfield, but nationwide."

Fiona Morrison, prosecuting, said that the defendant pushed Paula Lloyd, his common-law wife, up against a wall and banged her head against it. She fell to the ground and he hauled her up to her feet by her hair.

He was then said to have dragged her down the street, while dropping and lifting her several times. He left the pretty blonde bruised on the floor, called her "a slapper" and then strode away while his victim ran for help to a nearby pub on Bridge Street.

Chairman of the bench Margaret Ollerenshaw rejected defence solicitor Andrew Meachin's request for a suspended sentence after retiring for about 50 minutes to consider the case along with her two colleagues.

She told Armitt: "For the offence of assault by beating we are sending you to prison for four months. We consider neither a fine or a community penalty is appropriate in this case."

Mrs Ollerenshaw told the defendant he would have got six months jail had he not pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Miss Lloyd, who was at court with her parents, who the prosecution had said had been threatened by the defendant in the past, fled the courtroom in tears as her estranged partner was sent down. Armitt mouthed an obscenity at Miss Lloyd's father as he was led away.

Earlier Miss Morrison, prosecuting, had told how Armitt and Miss Lloyd had gone out drinking on Bank Holiday Sunday; socialising around the pubs in the town from 3pm until trouble began at 10pm.

It was sparked when Armitt sprang to the defence of a friend who was with them, when the victim said something he didn't like. He pushed his girlfriend up against a wall and then banged her head against it.

Miss Morrison told magistrates the assault happened on Newton Street. The attack and humiliation was witnessed by a resident, who called police.

Armitt was arrested. He later told cops the assault must have happened but he could not recall it.

Andrew Meachin, defending, said: "In a way he is unusual. 90 per cent of the people who come through our doors are unemployed and have a criminal record. He has worked since leaving school for 12 years in the same business, his father's business. I can tell you his parents are elderly parents.

"His father and mother are in failing health and rely on him to run it. He is a hard-working young man."

Later Insp Simpson said: "The police take these matters extremely seriously and we will pursue these abusers with all our strength. Thanks to new legislation and by working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and the Public Protection Unit we are now able to continue proceedings against anyone charged with domestic abuse with or without the victim's consent.

"In the past, many victims would withdraw their complaint or stay silent. We will still take abusers to court even if this happens. These bullies can no longer hide behind their victims.

"I want them to know there is no hiding place left for them and anyone who hits their wife or partner can now see what they are likely to get in Macclesfield - time in prison."

Magistrates made two two-year restraining orders against Armitt to keep him away from Miss Lloyd and her parents. Armitt had completed a community rehabilitation order in 2004, which he was given by magistrates for an assault against Miss Lloyd.

nIf you need help contact Cheshire Domestic Violence Outreach Team on 01606 351375 or Victim Support on 01606 557717.