A man who subjected his girlfriend to a terrifying attack on Boxing Day has been put behind bars.

Niall Lewis, of Brannan Road in Alltami, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday via video link from HMP Berwyn.

The 26-year-old had previously been convicted after trial of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and had admitted one offence of intentional strangulation - after a jury was unable to reach a verdict on it.

Thomas McLoughlin, prosecuting, told the court both offences related to Phoebe Allen, Lewis' ex-partner with whom he had been in an on-off relationship for some seven years.

They had broken up in 2021, but began to rekindle things the following year.

However, Ms Allen told Lewis she wanted to end things at Christmas.

She was "relieved" not to have been contacted by him on Christmas Day, but the following day he tried to call her 70 times and left her abusive messages.

Ms Allen eventually agreed to pick him up after he told her he needed her help due to his mental health.

But when she did so, he turned out to be drunk, and began to be abusive.

Back at her home, he demanded to see her phone and cornered her in the kitchen, trapping her between a door and the doorframe before pushing her to the ground and pulling her.

Mr McLoughlin said the victim felt "completely helpless" as the defendant screamed in her face and then grabbed her by the neck.

The hold was "so tight she couldn't breathe" and made her feel she "was going to die."

She was so desperate to escape, Ms Allen even considered jumping from an upstairs window as she didn't think she'd get out of the house alive.

But eventually, she got out of the property and ran to a neighbour's house, screaming for help.

When Lewis came out after her, his behaviour completely changed - acting as if nothing had happened.

In doorbell footage played to the court, he could be heard saying to the victim: "What's wrong with you? What are you saying all that s***? Get in the house."

When he was interviewed, Lewis denied the assault and blamed Ms Allen - claiming she'd had a "psychotic episode."

Mr McLoughlin said Lewis also had a previous conviction for battery, committed against Ms Allen.

In her victim impact statement, she said: "For the past few years, I've got used to suppressing my emotions.

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"I feel I've lost all my independence and I feel I will never be normal again.

"I feel Niall won't ever leave me alone and I feel I'm living in fear of what he will do next."

Ryan Rothwell, defending, told the court his client had been on remand for 10 months - meaning he'd served the equivalent of a 20 month custodial sentence already.

He said: "The facts are that he's relatively lightly convicted and has a loving and supportive family who live locally and think highly of him.

"They can attest to his character outside what, even the complainant accepts, was a toxic relationship.

"It may be that a more constructive, and in fact a more punitive sentence, would be the one proposed by the probation service - with an extremely onerous package of conditions.

"He would benefit from specific targeted intervention work as to any shortcomings in his thinking skills."

Mr Rothwell told the court his client had shown remorse, but Judge Rhys Rowland said the suggestion had a "hollow ring" given Lewis had denied the offences and gone to trial - as he had with the previous assault against the victim.

Judge Rowlands told the defendant: "These are very serious offences, committed on Boxing Day against the victim, with whom you had been in an on-off relationship over a number of years since the two of you were in sixth form.

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"I have no doubt she is a vulnerable individual and was pretty much under your thrall during an unhappy and unequal relationship."

Lewis received a total custodial sentence of 27 months, to be served immediately.

A five year restraining order was put in place to protect the victim.

Following sentencing, Civilian Investigator Ann Parry, investigating officer on the case, said: “I commend the bravery and strength of this victim for coming forward and for showing such courage throughout the investigation, which has led to today’s result.

“We are committed to ensuring reports of violence against women and girls are thoroughly investigated and we will continue to bring offenders to justice.

“If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence and can find the courage to come forward, please get in touch with us. We have dedicated officers who are specially trained to support you.”

Operation Unite is North Wales Police’s response to tackling violence against women and girls. More information is available here - Operation Unite | North Wales Police