A FATHER-of-three who repeatedly punched his ex-girlfriend in an early morning assault has been jailed for seven years.

Dewayne Mason denied attacking mum-of-two Jemma Cadle at her home in Warren Crescent, Headington, on February 15.

A jury of seven women and five men unanimously found him guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm yesterday.

Oxford Crown Court heard how Mason had gone to 34-year-old Ms Cadle’s home at about 6am, hammered on her door, then headbutted her, repeatedly punched her, and dragged her around by her hair.

Recorder Clive Broe said not only had Mason left her with facial injuries and a cracked rib after the “violent and sustained attack” but he “degraded” her by showing her the injuries in the mirror.

He added: “This was a violent and sustained attack on a woman who was alone in her home in the early hours of the morning.

“You are a powerfully-built man. She was, in your words, skinny.

“She was alone in the early hours of the morning when she would have been more isolated and vulnerable.

“I find that you degraded her by showing her her injuries in the mirror.”

The court heard that Mason, 38, of Humfrey Road, Barton, had 15 previous convictions for 46 offences including two common assaults.

Lauren Soertsz, defending, said jailing him would have a profound effect on his three children, especially his youngest son, aged eight.

But Mr Broe said, while it was unfortunate Mason’s children might suffer, only a prison sentence was appropriate.