A MAN who assaulted and strangled his ex-partner and rang a friend to brag about doing it has been jailed.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Michael Francis Shaw had assaulted the woman on August 18 at her home in Padiham by sticking his fingers down her throat . That was after she had asked the 31-year-old to leave when he became drunk and abusive.

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker said the victim sent Shaw a text the following morning telling him the relationship was over.

In the days after receiving that message Shaw, of Lytton Street, Burnley, text the woman on a number of occasions apologising and asking for another chance.

And at around 4.50pm on September 1, Shaw rang the victim telling her he loved her. The woman invited him to her house and left him there while she went to do an evening shift at work.

Mr Parker said that when she returned at around half past midnight the woman was surprised to find Shaw in her bedroom.

The court heard that Shaw told the woman he had been 'sniffing', which she assumed meant he had been taking cocaine. She went downstairs to do some housework but Shaw followed her down.

Mr Parker said: "He was asking her to have a drink. She wasn't interested. She said she wanted to go to sleep. He was pestering her.

"She was scared and intimidated to such an extent she went to climb out of the first floor window which led onto the kitchen roof."

The court heard how Shaw pulled the woman back and she fell on to the floor. Shaw then asked to look through her mobile phone, while holding a wine bottle.

Mr Parker said: "She wanted to go to the toilet. He said no. He needed the toilet himself but rather than go and leave her alone he ended up urinating into a bottle he had with him.

"She tried to get away. He grabbed her, shoved her to the floor and put a pillow over her face."

When she tried to get away again Shaw grabbed the woman by her hair and put his arm around her neck.

The victim managed to get to the top of the stairs but Shaw again grabbed her by the neck. She bit his arm in order to free herself.

She then tumbled down the stairs and hit her face.

As she tried to get up Shaw put his hands around her neck and she began to feel weak.

Mr Parker said the defendant began laughing at her. She went upstairs to clean her face.

Mr Parker said: "He was acting as if nothing had happened. He even telephoned one of his friends bragging about the fact he had just assaulted her."

When the woman told Shaw her son was due to come home soon Shaw responded by saying: "If anyone comes through the door they're going to get a bottle over their head." He also threatened to kill her son.

At around 10.30am the victim managed to text her mum saying: "Police." She sent another saying: "Bring them to mine." And a third reading: "Back way. Can't open the front door."

Confused, the victim's mum went to her daughter's house and began banging on the door. Shortly after the victim managed to get out of the property.

The victim told police: "All I wanted to do was leave the house. He kept me prisoner in the house all night, constantly assaulting me."

Shaw pleaded guilty to common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Defending, Neil Howard said his client was concerned about the impact a long custodial sentence would have on his three children.

Mr Howard added: "There's clearly very little that can be said by way of mitigation for the second offence. It's reprehensible behaviour from beginning to end.

"Mr Shaw in retrospect does show some degree of remorse. He clearly accepts while the could have been more severe this was a terrifying incident for the victim."

Shaw, who has a number of previous convictions for domestic violence, was jailed for 10 months. A five-year restraining order was also imposed.