PROSECUTORS have praised the bravery of a woman for helping convict her violent ex-boyfriend who tried to kill her.

Matthew Sargent, 30, was been jailed for 16-and-a-half years after beating Hayley Lowles, 33, and smashing an oven door on her head.

He grabbed the couple’s son, who was seven months old at the time, before fleeing Miss Lowles’ flat in Osier Drive, Noak Bridge, and buying booze from a local off licence.

Lynn Harvey, lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Sargent is a violent and imposing man who attacked the mother of his child and left her alone to die.

“This was a horrific attack which happened in the presence of their young baby.

“Sargent never attempted to get any help for his victim who suffered terrible injuries by his own hands.

“Clearly, his only thought was to kill his former partner and leave their son without a mother.

“She was very lucky to survive and will have to contend with lifelong medical problems as a result.”

Mrs Lowles was left with a broken nose, slashes to her face, the side of her head and ears, and parts of her skull were broken.

She only survived after dragging herself from the top-floor flat to the street, where she collapsed.

After he is released from prison, Sargent will spend a further five years on licence.

Prosecutors paid tribute to Miss Lowles, who has undergone numerous operations as a result of her injuries.

Mrs Harvey added: “We are very pleased with the sentencing and are very grateful to the victim for assisting with the prosecution.

“She has shown a tremendous amount of courage and while she is still recovering we hope she can put this ordeal behind her and move forward with her life knowing Sargent is behind bars.”