A 40-year-old man who held a pillow over a woman’s face will be sentenced next month.

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday was Treston Morris of Queen Street, Colchester.

On what was going to be the first day of his trial he admitted common assault, intentional suffocation and sending threatening messages.

The court heard that Morris had held a pillow over the woman’s face, making it difficult for her to breathe, and had slapped her across the face.

Judge Emma Peters adjourned sentence until August 19 for a pre-sentence report.

She said the maximum sentence she would pass was 24 months but she wouldn’t say if it would be an immediate sentence or whether it could be suspended.

Morris is in custody ahead of his next appearance in court.