A man who attacked his girlfriend has been released from Armley jail on curfew to help ease the pressure on the prison during the coronavirus crisis.
Kyle Wootton had spent three weeks in custody since entering guilty pleas.
The 23-year-old was told yesterday (Wednesday) that he was being released on a tag, partly as a result of the crisis being caused by Covid-19.
Wootton appeared before Leeds Crown Court via a link from the prison for his sentencing hearing.
During the hearing, he said:
"It's very bad in Armley.
"On my wing about 15 people have it now and they are all self-isolating."
The court heard Wootton attacked his girlfriend at her home in February 2018.
Bashir Ahmed, prosecuting, said the couple had been in an on-off relationship for about a year before the incident.
Mr Ahmed said the defendant had been in a 'bad mood' the day before the attack.
The attack happened after he knocked on the door at 6.30am.
Wootton was allowed into the house and the victim then got on the sofa to go to sleep.
He walked over to her and punched her in the head.
Mr Ahmed said the woman cried out in pain and reached for her mobile phone to call police.
Wootton grabbed her hair, took the phone from her and threw it to the floor.
She tried to leave the house but he dragged her back by her hair.
The victim's friend heard screaming coming from the house and tried to get inside
Wootton continued to drag the woman back by her hair and slapped her face.
Her friend managed to kick the door open and pushed Wootton aside.
The women were able to get out of the property and contacted police.
The victim suffered swelling and bruising to her face.
She described how she has suffered from anxiety since the incident.
Police arrested Wootton at his then home in Yeadon but he ran off as he was about to be taken to a police station.
He was arrested again at the property two days later.
Wootton, of Royd Avenue, Bradford, was released on bail but failed to attend a magistrates hearing as he was at a funeral.
He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, escape and failing to attend court.
He has no previous convictions.
Gerald Hendron, mitigating, said Wootton is no longer in a relationship with the victim and he has a new partner.
Judge Neil Clark said he was also suspending the sentence as Wootton has not been in trouble in the two years since the offences.
Wootton was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He was also made subject to a three-month curfew at a house in Guiseley, Leeds, between 7pm and 5am.
The judge said: "You have been in prison for three weeks.
"It has had some effect on you during the period of this worldwide health crisis."
