A POLICE chief inspector went on trial earlier today over a domestic attack in which his ex-wife feared she may die.

Fred Elrick, a Sunderland-based chief inspector with the Northumbria force, is accused of kicking, punching and grabbing former wife Pauline round the neck following a row after they returned home from separate nights out in the city on June 16, 2006.

Giving evidence on the opening day of her ex-husband's trial at Durham Crown Court, Mrs Elrick said they met up at a taxi rank, where she accused her then husband of "flirting" with another woman.

The dispute developed on the way home in a taxi and he then launched the attack back at the house, in the Tunstall area of Sunderland.

Mrs Elrick told the court that as he strangled her, on the sofa: "I thought he was going to kill us".

But he suddenly stopped the attack and he went upstairs, so she rang her sister and ordered a taxi.

She took the taxi to her sister's house and her family took photographs of her injuries, including black eyes and heavy facial bruising, but, despite their pressure, she refused to make a complaint.

Mrs Elrick said it was only early last year, after she met a colleague of her ex-husband, that she finally made a statement in May, 2008 - after Mr Elrick visited her trying to persuade her against making a complaint.

She told the court that he said he would, "have to say things about her drinking", which angered her as she said they were untrue.

Following her formal complaint a professional standards inquiry was opened by the force.

Anne Richardson, prosecuting, said in interview Mr Elrick claimed his ex-wife's injuries were incurred as he attempted to restrain her during an outburst on their return home.

Mr Elrick, 49, who joined the Metropolitan Police in April 1982, returned to the North-East and transferred to serve in the Northumbria area seven years later.

He denies assault causing actual bodily harm and the trial continues.