AN Accrington thug who repeatedly tried to ‘strangle’ his terrified partner in a sustained attack after a drinking session at her home, has been jailed for 25 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Trina Kellett was left bleeding after she was pinned to the floor on top of broken glass in the brutal attack at the hands of William Lowe.

He also headbutted her after he had ripped off her T-shirt and she was in just her underwear.

Lowe, 33, has more than 50 offences on his record, including a conviction for grievous bodily harm when he smashed Ms Kellett’s arm after a row and two charges of assault after he beat her.

The hearing was told when he was questioned over the latest violence, Lowe claimed self defence.

The defendant, of no fixed address, had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, on November 8.

He also received a restraining order to keep him away from Ms Kellett and was locked up for 22 months and 12 weeks.

The court heard the pair had been in an on/off relationship for three-and-half years, and it had resumed six weeks before.

They had been drinking for about five hours by 9pm.

Prosecutor Lucy Wright said the defendant fell asleep on a mattress on the living room floor, Ms Kellett decided to go to bed and inadvertently woke him.

He became angry and an argument started.

The victim was frightened and decided to leave and on the way to the back door heard a glass smash.

The defendant later headbutted her in the face, bruising her nose and eye and she tried to stop him, but he threw her to the floor, sat on top of her and put his hands around her throat.

The victim eventually escaped, bleeding from her back, shoulders and leg.

The prosecutor said: “The defendant started to apologise, encouraging her not to call the police, saying he was sorry.”

She accepted the apology, both went to bed and the next day passed without incident.

On November 10, Lowe drank heavily again, an argument started and Ms Kellett left.

She returned about an hour later and found Lowe still irate, throwing food around.

She left for good, fleeing her home, sought refuge with a friend and called the police.