A drunk man who put his hands around his former partner’s throat and threatened to kill her has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Fifty-one-year-old Mark Barrett had consumed a bottle of wine, seven to eight cans of beer and nearly a whole bottle of vodka when he became angry and attacked the victim in her bedroom, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Barrett had used his knee to hit the woman, who had a pre-existing back injury, in her back - causing her “excruciating” pain, the court was told.

He had then put his hands around her neck, making it hard for her to breathe, and he could be heard during a 999 call threatening to kill her.

The victim had kicked Barrett to get him off her and he had hit his head on a wall causing a wound, the court heard.

Barrett, of Smiths Field, Colchester, admitted intentional strangulation and common assault dating back to December 2022.

He was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years, a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 200 hours of unpaid work and a trail monitoring requirement for six months.

He was also ordered to pay £500 costs.

Sasha Bailey for Barrett said her client had a drink problem and had been trying to reduce his intake.