A North Herts man been imprisoned for more than two and a half years in total for breaching a previous suspended sentence and committing a domestic assault which left his victim fearing for her life.

St Albans Crown Court heard that intoxicated Jasper Thompson, aged 28, of no fixed address in Letchworth Garden City, threatened to cut his victim's face with a knife and kill her before he tried to strangle her in front of her two children on Wednesday 29 December last year.

He pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm (ABH) and was sentenced to 19 months imprisonment.

Investigating Officer Cema Miah from the Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Investigation Unit (DAISU) said: "The abuse went on for hours that night and culminated with Thomson putting his hands around her neck and squeezing until his partner was unable to breathe.

"He behaved like a monster and only stopped when her children came downstairs having witnessed the assault."

She added: "Despite initially supporting a police investigation, the victim understandably felt that she wasn't able to – but despite this, we presented overwhelming evidence to the court about Thomson's volatile and frightening behaviour. He was also given a five-year restraining order to further safeguard the victim."

In addition, he was sentenced to a further 12 months – to run consecutively – after admitting the breach of a suspended sentence he previously received, for possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place, and seven counts of assaulting an emergency worker on Saturday, May 29 and Monday, May 31, 2021 respectively.

Thompson was sentenced for both offences on Wednesday, March 23, with Detective Inspector Claire Richardson-Wabe adding: "We have a team of specially trained officers to help safeguard anyone experiencing domestic abuse whether it is physical – like in this case – or emotional, financial or psychological.

"We work closely with partner agencies to put measures in place so that victims do not need to put up with this unpredictable and totally unacceptable behaviour.

"We will also pursue offenders – with or without victim support."