A MAN repeatedly punched his partner at their Kendal home before telling her: “I hope you get cancer and die.”

That cruel comment, made by Warren Lee Chorley, proved particularly distressing for the woman as it came after a cancer scare, Carlisle Crown Court was told.

Chorley, 34, initially argued with his then partner on the evening of November 7.

The court heard that:“He took the hour keys so the complainant was unable to secure the property."

She woke the next morning and found he was home. As Chorley began drinking after he woke at around 9:30am, the woman tried to keep everything calm.

But an argument began when Chorley took a pack of ham from the fridge and held it the air.

“Believing that the defendant was going to throw it in the bin, and knowing it was all she had to feed her son until the end of the week, the complainant went to get the ham,” said Alison Whalley, prosecuting.

“She describes how the defendant went crazy. For no good reason he repeatedly punched her to the face, causing bruising.”

Chorley also hit her arm, damaged a door and cut a Wi-fi cable. He denied making an alleged fire damage threat when he returned to the house later that evening but admitted saying: “I hope you get cancer and die.”

She had described the incident as “horrific” and “terrifying”.

Chorley, previously of Grasmere Crescent, Kendal, and now of Carlisle, admitted common assault and criminal damage. The court heard this was a third victim of the labourer’s domestic violence.

Niamh Ingham, defending, said he and the woman had been together for just eight months when Covid forced them into lockdown together.

“He described it as an intense situation for a new relationship. He states he didn’t seek help from the right people,” said Ms Ingham.

“The defendant has asked me to relay his sincere remorse for what has occurred. He completely understands the impact it has had.”

Noting that remorse, and Chorley spending five difficult weeks in custody on remand late last year, Recorder Neville Biddle imposed a 24-month community order.

Chorley must complete a “building better relationships” course and 150 hours’ unpaid work.