A MAN has been jailed for a vicious attack on a young mum and for pushing her five-year-old daughter aside when she tried to stop him.

Lee Burnard, aged 25, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday in connection with an incident in which he knocked two teeth out of his victim, and punched and kicked her repeatedly while carrying a knife.

The court was told that homeless Burnard had been out of prison for only ten days when he went to a 25-year-old woman's Manadon home late at night, demanding to be let in.

Piers Norsworthy, for the prosecution, said the woman saw Burnard was drunk and carrying a bottle of cider, and refused to let him in because her daughter was in the house, but he forced his way in.

Mr Norsworthy said: "He pushed her and caused her to fall backwards.

"He then punched her once in the face with sufficient force to cause one front tooth to fall out.

"As she bent down to pick up the tooth, he picked her up and punched her again, knocking out another tooth."

Mr Norsworthy said Burnard then "went crazy", kicking his victim as she curled up in a ball on the floor, pleading with him to stop.

"She could feel kicks to the side of her face," he said.

"Her five-year-old daughter came down screaming 'Leave my mummy alone' and tried to intervene.

"She (the woman) saw the defendant push her daughter aside."

Mr Norsworthy said that Burnard, who had a knife in his waistband, then threatened to kill the woman if she called the police, while continuing to beat her.

She ran from the house, but Burnard pursued her and punched her once more, the court was told.

A dentist was later able to replace the woman's teeth in an operation. She also suffered bruising to her chest and face and a cut under her left eye.

Burnard admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating on the five-year-old, and being in breach of an antisocial behaviour order by being intoxicated in a public place. The incident took place on January 9 this year.

The court was told that Burnard had previous convictions for shoplifting, burglary, battery, harassment and breaching a restraining order. This was his 11th breach of an Asbo.

Nick Lewin, for the defence, said Burnard was working hard while in prison to overcome his long-term problem with heroin.

Jailing Burnard for a total of two years, Judge Francis Gilbert QC told him: "You grabbed her by the hair, punched her about the body and face, and then kicked her about the body and face. Then you assaulted her five-year-old daughter.

"You were armed with a knife, which although not used, must have been very frightening for her."

The judge ordered that 235 days that Burnard had already spent on remand in prison should count towards his sentence.