A WEST Cumbrian man whose life has been "blighted" by drug addiction has been jailed for assaulting his girlfriend.

James Foxcroft, 33, committed the offence after the woman refused to give him her medication, or the money he wanted to buy drugs, elbowing her in the face, scratching her arms, and kicking her legs, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant, of Birks Road, Cleator Moor, admitted a common assault and breaching of a suspended sentence.

Rachael Woods, prosecuting, said Foxcroft was with his girlfriend on the evening of March 22 when he became "very frustrated" because she refused to give him her prescribed medication.

"When she refused to hand it over," said Ms Woods, "he started demanding her bank card because he wanted money to buy drugs.

"She refused this request.

"He then elbowed her in the right eye, causing bruising; kicked her to the legs and scratched her arms with his nails."

The following morning, Foxcroft repeated the same demands and was again refused. His response was to punch and headbutt a window.

The victim did not report what happened to the police but confided in her mother, who did contact police, said Ms Woods.

Despite this, Foxcroft's girlfriend was reluctant to disclose details.

Judith McCullough, for Foxcroft, told Judge Paul Lawton: "It will come as no surprise to Your Honour to learn that the root of this defendant's offending is drugs.

"It's been a longstanding issue from his early teens."

The defendant and his girlfriend were otherwise in a healthy relationship, said the barrister.

Foxcroft, who expected no other sentence than prison, was for the first time since being a teenager not now thinking of drugs as he served his first spell in jail. "The defendant is now drug-free," continued Ms McCullough.

"He wishes to move forward with his life. "He feels a prison term will allow him to carry on developing a sense of purpose."

While in prison, Foxcroft - a qualified electrician - was working on refurbishing cells, she said.

The barrister added: "He's lost everything through drugs...

"When not on drugs, he's a pleasant, affable and polite young man, who hopefully now has a future away from the grip of drug abuse."

Judge Lawton accepted that Foxcroft - a man "of some ability" - had recognised drugs blighted his life.

He jailed him for a year.

The judge did not impose a restraining order, saying it would be inappropriate because the victim - who is writing to Foxcroft while he is in jail - did not want one.