Man who tried to strangle partner twice jailed

Samuel Thomas claimed his partner had been in a row with another man when officers arrived to investigate

A man described as "a danger to women" has been jailed after violently assaulting his partner.

Samuel Thomas, 36, from Crest Drive, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire, told her he was going to "put her to sleep" , strangled her twice and later slammed her head against a wall, said Cambridgeshire Police.

The attacks came to light when officers were called to his address in November, following reports of a woman being assaulted.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional strangulation and two counts of actual bodily harm at Cambridge Crown Court. He was sentenced to two years and three months in jail.

Thomas shook and slapped his partner until she came round after the first attempt at strangulation on 3 November, according to Cambridgeshire Police.

Five days later, officers were called to his address after she fled to a neighbour for help following another assault.

He denied there had been arguments, but when officers took her to one side, they saw her injuries, including a handprint.

The victim said Thomas had slammed her head against a wall four times earlier that day, strangled her until she lost consciousness and tried to gouge out her eyeballs.

When she tried to leave he refused to let her take their baby.

Det Con Ewa Byrne said she had shown "immense bravery" in coming forward after this "terrible ordeal".

“Thomas is a danger to women, and he is now facing the consequences of his sickening abuse," she said.

“Tackling domestic abuse is a force priority and I hope the outcome of this case encourages other victims of abuse to come forward.”

Thomas was also given a five-year restraining order.