A jobless thug has been jailed for a brutal attack on his girlfriend in a Westfield lift.

Jason Edwards, from north west London, was today sentenced to two years for his violent assault in front of the victim's three young children.

During his ferocious attack, which was caught on CCTV by security at the Shepherd's Bush shopping centre, the 36-year-old punched his partner at least 15 times in an onslaught police compared to a boxer cornering his opponent on the ropes.

Police said security met Edwards when the lift opened but he managed to evade officers who arrived at the scene shortly after.

WARNING distressing video

The victim of the attack, which took place on February 5 at around 7pm, did not wish to press charges, but police pursued an investigation and arrested Edwards in Colindale, north west London, on February 16.

Scotland Yard described her as being in her 30s, with three children under the age of 13.

She did not require hospital treatment and has since made a good recovery, police said.

Detective Sergeant Damian Ash said: "Shockingly, Edward's attack has been compared to a boxer relentlessly cornering and punching his opponent on the ropes.

"For nearly two minutes he struck his partner as if she was a human punch bag, in front of her three children who were helpless to stop it.

"Despite reluctance from the victim in revealing the identity of her partner and attacker, we were able to progress the investigation quickly using the CCTV and intelligence available to us.

"This case is testimony to our commitment in bringing violent offenders to justice, whatever the circumstance are, even when there is no victim statement provided at court."

Edwards was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court today to two years in prison. He had pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing.