A VICIOUS thug who attacked his ex-partner before offering to pay her money to keep quiet about the attack has been jailed for more than a year.

Richard Larke, of Virgil Road, Braintree, appeared via video link from Chelmsford prison on Tuesday, with Judge Richard Wilkin passing a custodial sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The 39-year-old admitted charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and perverting the course of justice following an incident which took place on Saturday, April 29 of this year when Larke met with his ex-partner, Amy Lanchester, outside Argos in Braintree town centre.

There, Larke had agreed to repay Miss Lanchester, with whom he had been in an on-off relationship for five years, a sum of money.

The court heard that once he arrived, he hurled abuse at Miss Lanchester, punching and kicking her car and reaching into the window to try and take her keys away.

Miss Lanchester drove away unharmed, but she encountered Lark in a chip shop later that day.

After ordering Larke a portion of chips, Miss Lanchester proceeded to drive the 39-year-old home, but said she would not let him into her address.

Larke then launched a brutal attack on Miss Lanchester, punching her in the face several times and causing her a broken nose, fractured eye socket, and multiple bruises.

Miss Lanchester then drove to a nearby police station and reported the incident; whilst she did so, she received a phone call from Larke and put her phone on loudspeaker.

The conversation was then recorded on a bodycam device which was being worn by a police officer.

During the exchange, Larke asked Miss Lanchester what she was going to do; when she said she didn’t know, he replied, “Well, what if I pay you some money, or something like that?”

Police later arrested Larke, who admitted charges of grievous bodily harm with intent, and perverting the course of justice.

Judge Wilkin sentenced Larke to 28 months.