A DRUNKEN thug who has been convicted of a third offence of domestic abuse in less than 10 years has walked free from court.

Although Nicholas Jackson got a four month jail term for his latest booze fuelled violence, he was released as he has served the time in custody on remand.

The 40-year-old, who has previous convictions for arson, was jailed in 2005 after he threatened to burn down his then girlfriend's house in a drunken rage.

He then met his latest victim, Samantha Frost, in 2008 while on bail for threatening to kill another girlfriend.

Despite being jailed again, Miss Frost stood by him and he moved in with her when he was released in early 2010.

Mr Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court: “He filled his spare time, when he wasn't working, drinking alcohol.

“She said when he drinks he becomes aggressive and argumentative. She stuck with him in this, it turned out, in the forlorn hope things would sort themselves out.”

By the time she had his child in 2011 he had already been convicted of criminal damage to her kitchen door, and she finally asked him to leave in on July 14.

“As she told him she had had enough he threw a chair at a kitchen cupboard, puncturing a door in the units,” Mr Meeke said.

“He left after his mother had collected some of his property. He returned later drunk.

“As he was loading the car he became particularly unpleasant, shouting at her.

“He picked up a metal pole, waving it at her. She tried to remain calm and told him to leave. He then took a pet lizard out of glass cabinet. She feared for the safety of the creature as he was ranting and raving.

“He then went out and, as he said he would, used the metal pole to smash her car, smashing the wing mirror off and smashing the windscreen, hitting it half a dozen times until it smashed.”

Jackson, of Station Road, Chiseldon, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and two counts of criminal damage.

Prosecutors dropped charges of threats to kill, affray and threatening to cause criminal damage to a bearded dragon when he admitted the other matters.

The court heard he was jailed in March 2008 for threats to kill and got four years in 2005 for a similar offence.

Alex Daymond, defending, said the maximum his client could receive for the latest matters was six months, and he had been inside on remand since his arrest in July.

He said he could resume his job as a ground worker when he is freed and so pay compensation to the victim.

Judge Tim Mousley QC said: “All of this relates to your behaviour towards your then partner Samantha Frost.

“It is quite plain that your behaviour towards her on this occasion on July 14 was appalling as it has been on many occasions.

“It was fuelled by your being drunk yet again and I regard that as a serious aggravating feature.

“Putting it shortly, it seems you have made her life miserable for just short of three years.

“You were shouting and swearing and threatening her with a pole at a time when she had a child with her.

“I am quite satisfied that you possess the personality traits in what is sometimes described as domestic violence.

“The courts regard this as serious indeed.

“The only mitigation I can point to is that at some stage you had the good sense to plead guilty to these matters.

“You are 40 years old and there is quite plainly an established pattern, as far as you are concerned, for behaving like this.”

He also ordered he pay £500 compensation and imposed a restraining order banning him from contacting Miss Frost for five years.