England and Liverpool star Jon Flanagan avoids jail as he is sentenced for attacking girlfriend

ENGLAND footballer Jon Flanagan has avoided jail after kicking his girlfriend in a sickening "prolonged attack".

The Liverpool defender, 25, was ordered to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work and a 12-month community for assaulting Rachael Wall.

He was arrested at around 3.20am on December 22 and released on bail ahead of today's appearance at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

Flanagan pleaded guilty to assault at an earlier hearing following an early morning fight in the city last month.

District Judge Wendy Lloyd told Flanagan the 12-month community order will include 15 rehabilitation activity days, 40 hours of unpaid work, £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

She said: "You are of course a young man of previous good character and therefore it's undoubtedly sad that you have brought yourself here by your behaviour."

A club spokesman said in a statement: “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the player’s actions during the events that took place resulting in this criminal conviction.

“It leaves his own reputation damaged and, through association, he has severely let down the club he had previously represented with distinction.

“We have expressed to him our disappointment and anger that he has failed to live up to the values of Liverpool Football Club, in this specific instance.

“The club has allowed the legal formalities to reach a conclusion before deciding on or implementing any internal disciplinary action. That internal process will now begin.

“The club has no further comment to make at this time.”

Liverpool FC have condemned his actions.

The Liverpool-born defender has made more than 50 first-team appearances for the Reds since making his debut aged 18.

CCTV showed him kick victim Rachael Wall during the "prolonged attack", the judge said.

The court heard Flanagan was drunk when he launched his assault on Ms Wall on Duke Street in the city centre.

Flanagan, who was capped for his country in 2014, had been in a relationship with Ms Wall for 18 months and helped look after her two children.

They now wanted to "put it behind them and go forward in a positive way" as it had a terrible effect on him and his girlfriend’s family, the court was told.

Lionel Greig, defending, said the victim had not provided a statement and there had been no previous instances of domestic violence in their relationship.

Flanagan won one England cap in 2014 in a warm-up friendly for the World Cup.