A drunken thug who grabbed the throat of his former partner and attempted to strangle her has been locked up for the disturbing attack.

Mark Jenkins reacted angrily to be told to leave her home when he launched the attack on her before fleeing the scene.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 34-year-old continually harassed his victim while making threats to give her two black eyes.

Jenkins was heavily intoxicated when he carried out the most serious assault on his ex-partner, said Christopher Morrison, prosecuting.

The Northern Echo: Mark JenkinsMark Jenkins (Image: Cleveland Police)

Jenkins, formerly of Hartlepool but now of Station Road, Trimdon Colliery, County Durham, was found guilty of intentional strangulation, assault, and harassment, following his campaign of abuse.

Michele Turner, mitigating, had urged the judge to spare her client from immediate custody to enable him to perform child care duties for his son but the court heard there was no evidence that he played a significant role looking after his child.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said she was ‘living in fear’ that he would turn up at her address again and attack her.

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Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Jenkins to a total of 21 months in prison for all three offences.

“You went into her bedroom but she asked you to leave. You came downstairs and strangled her for ten seconds – you then left, taking your son with you,” he said.

“The consequences of being strangled can lead to very serious injuries and in fact death.”

Dealing with the threatening messages, the judge added: “You said - ‘The s*** is going to hit the fan’ and ‘tell her to enjoy her two black eyes’.”