A man who abused his partner repeatedly through lockdown attempted to blame some of her injuries on the couple's dog.
Craig Slaven, 51, had been in a 24-year relationship with the woman before the violence began, a court heard.
But during the pandemic, his reliance on alcohol escalated, leading him to attack his wife on four separate occasions, Lancs Live reports.
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The horrific assaults took place between February and June this year, Preston Crown Court heard.
On one occasion, Slaven stamped on her head with his shoes on. Another time he bit her.
When he was arrested, he said the woman's injuries were self inflicted as she had been headbutting the door, and said the dog had caused the bite mark she suffered.
Slaven, of Central Drive, Blackpool, later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Judge Simon Medland QC, described Slaven "in Dickensian terms", saying: "Like Bill Sykes, when full of drink he becomes a horrendous wife beater."
Martineh Jabari, prosecuting, told the court: "She felt beaten down the defendant."
The woman's mental health has deteriorated as a result of the attacks, she struggles to sleep and suffers dizzy spells as a result of the attacks, the court heard.
Ms Jabari added: "She feels vulnerable. She doesn't feel safe in her home."
Following the attacks the woman avoided video calls with her children as she did not want them to see the bruises on her face.
The court heard Slaven has previous convictions for violence against two women.
Kim Obrusik, defending, said Slaven only began to become violent towards women when he was 40 and started "self medicating" with alcohol for unresolved childhood issues.
She said: "He found lockdown very difficult and that exacerbated his drug and alcohol issues.
"He doesn't seek to use that as an excuse but explains how a relationship which has not been marred by violence in 24 years has become violent."
Jailing Slaven for 27 months, Judge Medland QC said: "Since 2013 your behaviour towards the women in your life has descended towards drunk violence.
"Repeated assaults on the same partner in a domestic context is not an excuse but an aggravating feature."
In addition to the jail term, Judge Meland QC made a five year restraining order to protect Slaven's victim.
