CHARGES against a man accused of a domestic violence attack were dropped when a woman arrived at court to defend him.

Jason Parter had faced charges of assaulting Christy Colgate, occasioning actual bodily harm, and damaging her iPhone in Eastbourne.

But at Lewes Crown Court Ms Colgate showed up to court to support Parter.

It was revealed that when an arrest was made over the alleged attack, an investigation was launched into claims of “controlling and coercive behaviour” in a relationship.

But His Honour Judge Stephen Mooney heard how the Crown Prosecution Service did not wish to pursue those charges and dropped the case.

Parter, 35, formerly of Hydneye, Eastbourne, then Western Road, Newhaven, did admit causing criminal damage to a police cell and driving a Ford Puma while banned.

It was revealed he had stuffed his food into the intercom system in his cell after being held by police.

The judge did not make any order for compensation. He sentenced Parter to three months in prison for criminal damage, but said the defendant would be released “almost immediately” as he had been held in prison on remand since February.