Steven John Walker had been removed from the house on the night of October 19 following a domestic disturbance and slept the night at a friend’s place.

However, at 7am on October 20 he returned to the house he shared with the woman, described in court as “vulnerable and frail”, and began abusing her in an highly aggressive manner.

He picked up a metal vacuum cleaner handle and repeatedly beat the woman on her body for the next three hours, court documents say.

She eventually managed to flee to a friend’s house and police were contacted.

The woman was taken to Shoalhaven Hospital with severe bruising.

Walker was arrested later that day and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He contested the charge at a hearing in Nowra Local Court in January but was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to two years’ jail with a non-parole period of 18 months.

He appealed the sentence, claiming it was too severe.

However, Judge Mark Marien said the 55-year-old had deserved the sentence he was given.

“This was an extremely serious assault,” he said.

“The victim was frail and sick having previously suffered a stroke.”

He noted Walker, who the court heard had a chronic alcohol problem, had previous matters of violence on his record.

“His prospects or rehabilitation at this stage can only be described as guarded,” Judge Marien said.

The man will be released to parole in July next year.