A man who put his hands around his ex partner’s throat making her fear she was going to die was jailed on Monday.

Robert William Winstanley, 32, of Victoria Road, Prestatyn admitted causing actual bodily harm, common assault and criminal damage to a mobile phone - which he threw at his victim's head - and to a wall and a stairgate.

He was jailed for 26 weeks with an extra six weeks for being in breach of an 18-week suspended sentence. Justin Espie, prosecuting, said the victim had bruising and swelling to her face and according to an impact statement had suffered numerous panic attacks since the assault.

Deputy District Judge Roger Lowe told Winstanley at Llandudno court: "You have a difficulty with drink and were very drunk when you committed this serious assault. I have looked at the photographs of the actual bodily harm - it was was a nasty and sustained attack."

He added: "You put your hands around her throat and she described it as a terrifying experience and thought at one point she was going to die. ."

He was ordered to pay victim Kayleigh Baker, who he assaulted in her home at about midnight on June 15, £250 in compensation. A two-year restraining order bans him from entering her home in Prestatyn.

Nia Dawson, defending, said there was another side to Winstanley, who had done charity work.

He wanted a civil relationship with his ex-partner and he didn’t wish to criticize her.