A young woman has told of the moment she was persuaded to admit her boyfriend had viciously attacked her - because he believed she had cheated on him.

Litisha Henry, 23, originally lied to police when they saw the brutal injuries inflicted by 44-year-old Franklin White.

But she said she decided to tell the truth when an officer promised they would save her from his clutches.

Now White has been jailed for six years and made subject to an extended licence period of four years after a judge told him he had a "bad track record" for offences of violence against women.

"Call me old-fashioned, but it is a very serious offence when a man hits a woman," said Judge Michael Carroll.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Miss Henry feared for her life during the unprovoked onslaught.

At one stage, White was said by prosecutor Nina Ellin to have "used his full weight as if he was fighting a man".

Her ordeal only came to an end when police stopped White's car because of his driving and saw Miss Henry's injuries.

Scroll down for video and audio

She told KentOnline: "They went to Franklin's side and asked him to step out of the car. The officer peered in and saw my face and came over to me and said can you tell me what happened.

"At first I did lie and said I was attacked by girls and he was dragging me home. The police officer said, 'You need to tell us the truth. We've got police looking for a girl that was being attacked.'

"He said, 'We will help you if you tell us the truth' and that's when I said it was Franklin.

"The police were amazing and other women being abused should do what I did and go to the police. The police will help you. They need to know they can't get away with it.

"I was relieved when I heard him sentenced. I'm just happy he knows he can't get away with it. Obviously he thought he could, but he can't.

"I'm glad that he's been sentenced and I can finally move on from what happened."

White - formerly of Livingstone Circus, Gillingham, but now said to be living in Strood - denied attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent but was convicted by a jury after a trial in July.

He had admitted a lesser charge of causing actual bodily harm.

The couple were with friends at the Casino Rooms in Rochester on March 17 this year when White's mood suddenly changed.

The prosecutor said Miss Henry saw White looked angry and asked what was wrong. He replied: "Nothing. Don't ever go by my face."

She continued dancing, but was then told it was time to leave.

Video: Litisha Henry speaks out after Franklin White's conviction

Miss Henry, who had been going out with White for about four months, was not allowed to get her coat and as they walked away from the club he launched a vicious attack on her.

"He used his full weight as if he was fighting a man," said Miss Ellin. "She fell to the floor. He pulled her up by her hair.

"He told her she was going to get what she deserved. She had no idea what he was talking about and asked what it was about.

"He made it clear he thought she was sleeping with his friend. He punched her and punched her. She had no idea how many times, but it was a lot."

White was interrupted by somebody calling out, but he then continued battering the victim with blows to the head.

"She begged him to stop, but he laughed and told her she was a slut and would get what she deserved," said Miss Ellin. "She thought he was going to kill her."

He took Miss Henry to his car and assaulted her further. He demanded: "Tell me you slept with him." She said she had not.

He drove off with her and when she asked where he was taking her, he said: "You will see what happens."

White's car was stopped by police in Gillingham.

Passing sentence, Judge Carroll told White: "This was an horrific attack on a woman. You are a tall, large man and you set upon your victim by punching her several times.

"You also dragged her along the ground by her hair to your car and it never stopped there. She told the jury she feared for her life."

White, who was jailed for six years for a previous offence of violence, was also made subject to a restraining order.

Stories you might have missed

Jail for couple after drugs ring downfall

Couple sky high after proposal

Most wanted fugitive behind bars after decade

Hospital closes after flooding