A thug subjected his girlfriend to a terrifying attack after she said found her former boyfriend more attractive than footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ross Flynn lashed out after a conversation came up about the Portuguese Manchester United striker when the couple got home after a night out.
The victim, who said she did not find the heart-throb, who captains his national team, attractive, suffered a series of painful blows.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Flynn, who has now been branded a "very high risk" to future partners, was arrested and released on bail but attacked the same woman again less than two months later.
Prosecutor Omar Ahmad said the pair had got together in February of last year and she moved in with him soon afterwards.
He said: "She describes a violent and volatile relationship.
"She states throughout the relationship the defendant was extremely controlling and angry.
"When she would go out drinking with the defendant, she would have to be aware of who she was talking with or he would get extremely angry and accuse her of cheating."
The court heard after a night at the pub on June 14 the couple were watching football videos when Flynn asked 'Are you more attracted to Cristiano Ronaldo or your ex-partner?'"
The 31-year-old became angry when the victim replied saying her deceased ex and punched her to the left side of her jaw.
The court heard that she made her way to the bedroom where she sat on the edge of the bed but the assault continued and she was hit again.
Mr Ahmad added: "She felt three or four extremely hard punches to the back of the head causing immediate pain.
"The defendant said 'Shut the f*** up and get to sleep or you know what will happen'."
The victim contacted the police and told them during a conversation, which was captured on body worn video as she sat bruised and upset on the bed: ""He asked who is better looking, Cristiano Ronaldo or your ex.
"My ex before him committed suicide and I said I don't find Cristiano Ronaldo attractive, so I said my ex.
"He started hitting me.
"He went how dare you say your ex better looking than Cristiano Ronaldo, that means I am not better looking than your ex.
"I said Cristiano Ronaldo isn't my type."
A police officer at the scene asked her: "So that's how it all started?"
And she replied; "Yes".
During an incident on the evening of the 29th of July the pair were at a home address of Flynn's friend in East Rainton, Sunderland.
Mr Ahmad said: "The pair engaged in an argument. The defendant took her mobile phone from her hand and threw it across the kitchen causing the screen to smash to the value of £200."
There was then further trouble on August 2.
Mr Ahmad said: "On August 2, they returned to the friend's address from shopping and later drinking together.
"She and the defendant engaged in another argument during which the defendant attempted to hit her but was stopped by his friend.
"The defendant kicked her to her face, connecting with her jaw and nose which burst pouring with blood.
"She fell to the floor and the defendant tried to kick her again. She then made her way to a hotel where she asked staff to contact the police."
The victim suffered a fracture and deviation to her nasal bone as well as bruising, cuts, and swelling.
Flynn, of Russell Street, Stockton-on-Tees, admitted engaging in controlling and cohesive behaviour, two counts of actual bodily harm, criminal damage and failing to surrender to court.
Judge Sarah Mallet sentenced Flynn to four years behind bars with an extra year on licence and said: "You have relevant previous convictions.
"She said throughout the relationship you were angry and controlling and you would accuse her of cheating.
"She had used to use social media on a regular basis but you made her delete her social media so she could not speak with anyone else that way.
"The violence became more regular and worse.
"You have been identified as a very high risk to any female you have an intimate relationship with."
Lewis Kerr, mitigating for Flynn who has three previous convictions, told the court that the defendant could benefit from relevant intervention in custody.
He added: "The defendant has written a letter. He writes in there he is remorseful and I ask the court to accept that with some sincerity."
