AN ex-boyfriend who started to strangle his former partner after threatening to kill her told police her injuries were because of rough sex they had.

Grant Evans, 30, from Pontypool, was branded a coward by a judge who jailed him for the terrifying attack.

Nik Strobl, prosecuting, said the defendant has a history of violence with previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and battery.

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Evans’ attack on his ex-girlfriend happened last month.

Mr Strobl told Cardiff Crown Court: “The defendant had threatened to kill her. He told her, ‘I’m going to kill you when I see you next.’

“At around 7.30am on August 18, he began repeatedly banging on the front door of her friend’s house where the victim was.”

Evans then attacked her once she was outside.

The prosecutor said: “The defendant strangled her.

“He put his hands around her throat and squeezed for a couple of seconds.

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“The defendant then followed her and punched her to the hip.

“After he was arrested, he denied attacking her and said any injuries she had were as a result of rough sex the night before.”

In a victim personal statement, the woman said she has trouble sleeping since the incident and feels anxious.

Evans, of St Anthonys Close, Griffithstown, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Hilary Roberts, representing the defendant, said: “He is determined to rid himself of drugs and wants to change his behaviour.”

He added how his client had suffered with anxiety and depression.

Judge David Wynn Morgan told Evans: “Men who attack women are cowards and you are a coward.

“You have got a very bad record for offences of this nature.”

The defendant was jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge after his release from prison.