A university has apologised for failing to sack a thug lecturer for months after he brutally beat his student girlfriend, who he punched and stamped on before pouring salt in her eyes. The University of Sussex admitted its response to Allison Smith's horrific ordeal at the hands of Dr Lee Salter was "inadequate".

An independent report by a leading academic found the university had failed in its duty of care to the journalism postgraduate student and took too long the suspend the lecturer. Salter was convicted of attacking Ms Smith, 24, after he punched her in the face, stamped on her and poured salt into her eyes following a meal out in September 2015.

He was arrested but kept on the payroll and allowed to continue working for nearly a year. 

The report said the university's response was not an isolated case but followed a similar failure to keep another partner of an abusive university staff member informed about the action it was taking.

It also revealed that staff and students had raised other incidents of abuse and harassment, while concerns were flagged up about a failure to warn female staff about the potential risks of a male contractor reported to police because of his conduct with a female student.

Salter was convicted of assault by beating and causing criminal damage to belongings at Brighton Magistrates' Court on July 13, 2016, after being charged on December 13, 2015. The university confirmed in August last year that he no longer worked there - after more than 3,000 signed a petition calling for action.