A man said to be prone to outbursts of “explosive violence” when he does not get what he wants has been jailed for seven years for a “campaign” of abuse on his ex-partner.

Orrin Clennell committed the series of offences on the woman after she ended their relationship and refused to return to him, a few days before Christmas last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that it included repeatedly punching her in a car, when she was unable to get out, using a rear-view mirror to attack her and then landing a blow to her ribs which caused the woman to be physically sick.

In a separate attack the same day he placed a machete against the woman, threatening to “cut out” the name of her former partner from her, pulled out clumps of her hair and again landed a flurry of punches, causing significant swelling to the face.

Read more: Banned driver found soaking and naked under child's bed

The court heard there was intentional strangulation of the woman at one stage, while he also smashed her phone to prevent her ringing for help or to report his violence.

Clennell was also said to have made threats to kill her and then attacked two police officers who did attend to arrest him, biting and punching them as well as threatening to push a female officer over a bannister.

The 33-year-old defendant, of Ripley Close, Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, admitted one of the assaults on the woman, and two on emergency workers, the police officers.

But he denied eight other offences, most committed between December 20 and 22 last year.

Following a trial at the court, earlier this month, Clennell was found guilty of two further assaults, plus one each of intentional strangulation, making a threat to kill and criminal damage.

He was cleared of two other assaults and one allegation of intentional strangulation.

Deborah Smithies, prosecuting, told the sentencing hearing, before Judge James Adkin, now sitting at Newcastle Crown Court, that the defendant has 35 convictions for 51 offences, many for violence, dating from 2006 onwards.

Read more: Man subject to suspended sentence risked jail with early hours shoplifting trip

Miss Smithies said the latest victim told police that Clennell, “basically ruined me”, leaving her psychologically damaged and not the same person she was prior to meeting him.

The victim said she was on various medication and is “absolutely petrified” of Clennell.

She added that she will no longer be able to trust any man, in future.

Dan Cordey, in mitigation, said having spoken to the defendant prior to the hearing: “There’s the beginnings of an acceptance by him that his behaviour was totally unacceptable and he accepts guilt for the offences.

“While his previous record does him no favours, and he has a very bad record in terms of violence in past relationships, it’s not characterised by very serious offences of the most serious kinds of violence this court is often faced with.”

Judge Adkin said he considered Clennell to be, “a dangerous offender”, who left his victim, “genuinely thinking she would be killed by you.”

The judge told Clennell: “My view is that you can barely suppress your instinct for explosive violence when you don’t get what you want.”

He said there were “elements of sadism” in his violence, at one point telling his victim to look at him before punching her in the face.

Judge Adkin imposed an extended determinate sentence, featuring a seven-year custodial element followed by a three-year licence period.

Read next:

Burglar took keys from Hunwick house before fleeing in BMW

Suspended sentence for Bowburn burglar for Aycliffe salon break-in

Consett man admitted taking cocaine and cannabis before driving

Latest digital subscription offer ends June 28. For details, click here

He must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence before being eligible for release by the Parole Board, but he may have to serve the full seven years behind bars.

A restraining order was also put in place preventing him from contacting or approaching the victim for life.

Judge Adkin said it should be a condition of Clennell’s licence, upon release from prison, that his supervising officer should be informed when he forms future intimate relationships with females.