A 21-YEAR-OLD has been jailed for throttling his girlfriend on their anniversary until she blacked out.

Ben Horsman, of Waltham Gardens, Banbury, admitted one count of causing actual bodily harm to Teresa Simms on June 13 this year.

The assault occurred after she discovered on the day of their anniversary that he had been talking to other women on internet dating websites.

Alistair Grainger, prosecuting, said Horsman’s victim was left with concussion and bruises on her arms, neck and face after the “ferocious and prolonged” attack.

He told Recorder Patrick Hamlin that the assault was prompted by an argument which broke out when Miss Simms found her partner was using dating sites.

The barrister explained that after an initial argument, the couple went for a meal, drank heavily, and argued again when they were together in bed. Mr Grainger said this prompted Horsman to grab and squeeze his girlfriend’s throat, grab her hair and punch her repeatedly in the face.

He added that Miss Simms told police she lost consciousness and Horsman put his hand over her mouth when she tried to cry out for help.

The defendant also admitted battery against the same girlfriend earlier this year, for which he was given a 12-month community order.

Graham Bennett, defending, said that his client “realises that he has done real damage to her and to the relationship”.

He added that Miss Simms had written a letter to the court in support of Horsman.

Recorder Hamlin said: “I doubt much benefit is going to come to either party as a result of the continuation of this relationship.”Re

He sentenced Horsman to 14 months in prison and told him to continue his community order with a domestic violence requirement.