A VIOLENT bully who set his girlfriend’s bed on fire while she was on it has been jailed.

Dennie Maloney, 34, of no fixed address, was sentencing to 18 months imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court after previously admitting in July assaulting his ex-partner at her North Harrow home, breaching a restraining order and criminal damage.

Detective Sergeant Tim Mason, who deals with high risk domestic violence offenders at Harrow Police’s Community Safety Unit, said after the hearing on Tuesday last week : “This case was particularly violent and challenging.

“Maloney had bullied the victim over a period of time and had subjected her to a series of violent attacks. These horrific attacks included setting light to the victim’s bed whilst she was on it and forcing his hand down her throat. These attacks have had a lasting and devastating impact on the victim who wishes to remain anonymous.

“I am pleased with the conviction and satisfied with the sentence imposed. This successful investigation serves as a reminder that Harrow Police take a zero tolerance policy to domestic violence.”

Det Sgt Tim Mason thanked his colleague in the Community Safety Unit, Detective Constable Brian Hawkins, and independent domestic violence advisor Hetal Amin for their investigative work.

The sentencing comes just after a week after a series of dawn raids at homes across London boroughs as part of the Met Police’s Operation Athena, which aimed to combat violence against women, as well as hate and faith crime.

* Anyone suffering from domestic violence should contact police via 999 in emergencies or Harrow Police’s Community Safety Unit on 0208 733 3462 for non-emergencies.