A “COWARD” who strangled his ex-girlfriend and beat her up in front of horrified staff at a takeaway chain has been jailed.

Matthew Knight also punched her and put her in a headlock during the “degrading” attack outside Subway at the Wales 1 Business Park, Magor.

Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, told how the brutal assault took place after the defendant, the woman and her brother had been socialising in Newport.

The two men had then argued in a taxi after Knight had abused his sister and accused her of cheating on him.

The defendant, who was described as an “habitual user” of amphetamine, then attacked his former partner when he and his ex were outside Subway.

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Mr Gobir told Newport Crown Court: “He punched her to the face which she said caused her to go temporarily blind.

“The defendant ragged her hair and then started strangling her, choking her and suffocating.

“The Subway staff heard a thud against the window. They were scared and upset.”

CCTV footage of the assault on August 26 was played to the court.

It was shown to Knight by police after his arrest with Mr Gobir adding: “The defendant said he felt ashamed of his behaviour.

“He said it was ‘out of order’.

“The victim told officers she felt degraded and that she was terrified of the defendant.”

Knight had also smashed up the victim’s house in Caldicot months earlier when he damaged a TV screen, stereo, speakers and doors.

The 38-year-old defendant, of Lower Monk Street, Abergavenny, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

He had 16 previous convictions for 41 offences but none for violence.

Stephen Thomas, representing Knight, said: “The defendant is deeply remorseful and has expressed shame.

“He needs to address his alcohol and drug problems.”

The judge, Recorder Dyfed Llion Thomas told the defendant: “You strangled her, you tried to choke her and you pushed her around against the Subway door.

“This was a cowardly and cruel attack upon a woman.

“She says she feels degraded.”

Knight was jailed for 16 months and made the subject of a five-year restraining order not to contact the woman.