A SERIAL offender has found himself back in prison following a ‘prolonged and violent’ assault on a woman.

Gary Woodall has an appalling criminal record, having been convicted and jailed for a string of offences over the years.

His latest offending saw the 60-year-old charged with assault by beating, which he denied before Chester Magistrates’ Court.

He was convicted however, after being found guilty following a trial, with the court proceeding to sentence him.

Prosecutor Will Griffin informed the court how the offence occurred in Warrington on Match 17 this year against a female neighbour.

The court heard of Woodall’s horrendous criminal record which has seen him be issued with a criminal behaviour order, designed to tackle the most serious and persistent offenders.

Before sentencing, magistrates highlighted how the offence was ‘so serious’ that only a custodial sentence can be justified.

They came to the view that they could not suspend the necessary jail term due to the assault being ‘serious, prolonged and violent’.

Woodall, of Henshall Avenue in Latchford, was sentenced to 12 weeks immediate imprisonment.

No compensation was ordered due to magistrates believing that this would ‘aggravate’ the relationship between the pair.

They did however approve an application for a restraining order prohibiting Woodall from contacting the victim for the next 12-months.