A man who forced his girlfriend to drink Dettol cleaning fluid and punched and kicked her in a brutal assault has been jailed.

Billy Warren, 31, of Denmark Gardens, Carshalton, left his 27-year-old girlfriend with burns around and inside her mouth after the attack, which took place between June 26 and June 28 last year.

The woman, who was kept against her will, also suffered extensive bruises to her arms and body and sickness, diarrhoea and lost consciousness as a result of the assault.

Mr Warren was found guilty of unlawfully inflicting grievous bodily harm after trial at Croydon Court between January 4 and 22.

He was jailed for four and a half years for the assault last Thursday, at the same court.

Detective Constable Ian Griffith said: “This was a very serious and horrendous crime that Warren inflicted on a woman who had been subjected to ongoing domestic violence.

“The woman was extremely brave in coming forward and in giving her evidence at court in difficult circumstances.

“This prosecution would not have been possible without the assistance from the members of the public.

“I would like to stress how important it is that if anyone has concerns for friends or neighbours they must come forward and bring this to the attention of the police.

“We will endeavour to deal with the perpetrators of domestic violence in a robust manner and bring them to justice.”