A man who beat his girlfriend to death during a drunken row is starting six years behind bars.

David Bamber, 36, denied murder but admitted the manslaughter of Carol Baker, 44.

At Chelmsford Crown Court, he was sentenced to six years in prison with a four-year extension. The extension means on his release he will remain under prison licence and would be jailed again if he committed any other offence.

Carol Baker's grieving family today (Wednesday) said Bamber's sentence was too lenient.

Her father, Ernest Baker, 72, of Timberlog Lane, Basildon, said: "I don't think it was long enough. I think he should have got more...but that's the law."

Judge Brian Watling recognised the family may have considered the sentence lenient but told the court he was obliged to follow official guidelines.

He said Bamber, of Holbech Road, Basildon, frequently became violent towards Carol, his girlfriend of eight years, after he had been drinking.

"On at least one occasion, witnesses described seeingher with bruises to her face," the judge said.

The couple returned home on April 14 after an evening out drinking and a row ensued. Carol suffered injuries to her forehead, nose, chin and left angle of her jaw, from at least four separate punches.

A post mortem showed Carol died from a traumatic haemorrhage to the brain, caused by several impact injuries to the head.

The judge said: "I have read the reports of friends at work and other colleagues who are shocked by what has happened."

To them, Carol and David appeared to be a loving couple. Carol's brother Alan, 50, of Aveley, said of Bamber: "He seemed a Jekyll and Hyde character. Until you got to know him, he would present himself as charming and amicable. Then he would show the other side."

The family stepped in when they were worried about Carol's safety. Alan said: "We knew of it. Me and my brother went round there and threw him out about two-and-a-half years ago."

However, the couple were later reunited.

Bubbly, outgoing Carol was close to her parents, and frequently went shopping with her mother.

(Right) Killer - David Bamber

(Left) Victim - Carol Baker

By Katy Best

Reporter's e-mail: katy.best@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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