A thug strangled his partner and caused her to lose consciousness. When she woke up she found her attacker standing over her.

Zack Phillips, 26, assaulted his then partner at his mother's home in Maesteg on July 19. The defendant had been drinking and required help from the victim to book a flight online.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard the victim told Phillips she had to leave but he told her "you're not going anywhere. He then pulled her by the hair up the stairs and hit and spat at her as he did so. The defendant then grabbed her by the top and ripped her clothing.

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During the assault, the victim was screaming and kicking the walls in the hope a neighbour would be able to hear what was going on. Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said: "She thought the defendant was going to kill her, she had never seen him like this before."

Phillips then grabbed the victim by the neck with both hands and applied pressure until she couldn't breathe. She lost consciousness and does not know how long she remained passed out but when she came round the defendant was standing over her.

The victim managed to escape the house and ran to a neighbouring property in "distressed state". She spoke to a man who gave her a top and the police were called. The victim was taken to hospital where she received treatment for bruising to her neck.

The defendant, of Gelli Street, Maesteg, was arrested and initially claimed he had been attacked but he later pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation. The court heard he has previous convictions for assaulting an emergency worker, when he dug his nails into a police officer's hand.

In mitigation, Richard Ace said his client had acknowledged this was "the worst thing he has ever done" and could have resulted in serious injury or death. He said the defendant had been brought up in the care system and by parents who "didn't show him the way". He argued Phillips could be rehabilitated with "proper support" and conceded alcohol was a significant factor.

Judge Paul Hopkins KC said the defendant had shown a "history of violence" but the judge was satisfied he had shown genuine remorse and a prospect of rehabilitation. He added: "You know full well what awaits you if you commit this offence again."

Phillips was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. He was ordered to carry out 160 hours unpaid work, a 10 day rehabilitation activity requirement and made subject to a restraining order for five years.

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