A judge has reduced the sentence of a violent Worcester man after realising he had made a legal error.

Justin Hodgetts was jailed for two-and-a-half years last month and given an extended licence period on release of three years.

But Judge Andrew Geddes recognised that the law only allowed a two-year licence and cut the original by 12 months.

He also recognised that Hodgetts, of Drake Avenue, Dines Green, had already served 158 days on remand which will be deducted from his jail term.

Hodgetts had pleaded guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend Claire Pinches after ambushing her from behind a parked car on her driveway.

She was knocked down by a punch and suffered a broken nose and cheekbone, Worcester Crown Court heard.

The judge assessed 36-year-old Hodgetts as posing a significant risk of serious harm to the public.

The attack on Miss Pinches happened on May 7 last year after the defendant had been drinking heavily.

He had also been convicted in the past of violence on two other women and had a record of 58 offences. Defence counsel Anthony Warner said Miss Pinches had visited Hodgetts in Gloucester Prison.