A FATHER who "ferociously" used his fists to beat his wife on New Year's Day gazed at the floor as he was jailed for four years.

Paul Wright admitted punching and slapping Lisa Thompson in her Cassington home but denied intentionally attacking her, stamping on her back and causing a fracture to her spine.

A jury of six men and six women yesterday unanimously acquitted him of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a three-day trial.

However, Wright, of Butts Road, Horspath, was jailed after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to his wife, from whom he was separated, at the time of the attack.

Sentencing at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Peter Ross said Ms Thompson was left with "appalling" brushing and swelling after the "frenzied" attack, where he used his foot as a weapon.

He added: "This is a bad episode of its kind – domestic violence – and you went there to a degree, looking for trouble."

Dressed in a blue suit and tie, Wright told jurors he went to Ms Thompson's home to see his son, then four, and speak about his relationship with his wife.

He sobbed as he recalled the attack, claiming the pair began to "grapple" after he spotted a Christmas card in her bedroom from her new partner.

Judge Ross said: "Your visit was not borne out of New Year's optimism. I'm satisfied so that I'm sure, that what you were seeking to do was to catch Lisa Thompson at home with her new boyfriend."

Defence barrister Lucy Tapper said Wright felt "genuine remorse" for attacking his wife during his "episode of utter madness".

During the trial, Ms Thompson revealed she feared Wright was going to kill her after he barged his way into her home, repeatedly ignoring requests to leave.

The mother-of-one said Wright, who seemed intoxicated, delivered an "over-powerful" blow to her face, causing her to drop her son from her arms to the floor.

Miss Thompson, who still takes Tramadol to ease her back and jaw pain, said Wright punched her in the face, stamped on her back and pulled her by the hair back into the flat when she attempted to flee, forcing her to lose consciousness.

Wright was made subject to a restraining order.