Punching, kicking, strangling and stamping on her head by her partner, often in front of her children, had become normality for a woman who was so scared to tell anyone that she did not report it to the police, Truro magistrates heard.

Gail Hawkley, prosecuting for the CPS, said because of the behaviour of Ian Waller, aged 48, of Glasney Place, Penryn, Joanne Kerrigan “put up with it, treading on eggshells and trying not to upset him.”

Waller pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Kerrigan at Penryn on March 2, but maintained that the assault was not exactly as his victim had described it to the police on that occasion.

The magistrates adjourned the case for a Newton hearing to listen to evidence from witnesses, which will take place on March 28. Waller was given conditional bail until then.