A man with a history of violence against women threatened his girlfriend while holding a machete and knocked her tooth out, a court heard.

Judge Neil Flewitt said Nathan Machin’s record of offences against women was so appalling it deserved a lengthy jail term but his ‘hands were tied’ due to sentencing restrictions.

Machin, 24, of Earlsway, was jailed for 18 months after admitting causing actual bodily harm, two assault charges, two charges of criminal damage, and theft at Chester Crown Court on Friday, August 21.

The court heard how he moved in with his girlfriend soon after making contact over Facebook, but quickly became aggressive and controlling and used her phone to call other women.

Oliver King, prosecuting, said when she confronted him over the phone calls, he smashed her phone into her face, knocking a tooth out.

He left the house and returned four days later. In further arguments Machin threw a lipstick at her leg causing bruising, and grabbed her throat and banged her head against a wall while holding a machete above her head. He also stamped on her phone and destroyed it.

When she asked him to leave, he smashed a hole in the bedroom door with the machete he stole from her and left her key in dog excrement outside, the court heard.

He said: “There was damage in the house including a hole in the bedroom door made by the machete.”

The court heard that Machin committed these offences while serving a community order made in 2014 in near identical circumstances involving a former girlfriend.

He was also jailed in 2012 for GBH against a third woman.

Machin was jailed for 10 months for the ABH and one month for theft. He must serve one month for each of the criminal damage charges, to run concurrently, and four months for each assault – which will also run concurrently.

He was given a further three months for charges against the woman in 2014.

Maria Masselis, defending, said he gave a prompt guilty plea, adding: “He was consuming substances and expresses his remorse. He’s seen violence towards his mother and has no example of a healthy relationship.”

Judge Neil Flewitt complained his sentencing powers were limited due to ‘significant undercharging’ by the Crown Prosecution Service.

He said: “It’s a catalogue of disturbing offences committed against a vulnerable female. You invaded her home and took control. This is aggravated by an appalling record for violent offences.

“The sentence will appear lenient but my hands are tied. This is less than you deserve.”