A MAN who subjected his girlfriend to a terrifying drunken attack has been given one more chance to stay out of jail.

The Leader reported in February on the sentencing of Craig Berry, then of Riverside Park in Garden City.

He'd strangled and assaulted his girlfriend, Kirsty Lee Jones, with whom he'd been in a relationship for three years prior to the offences.

The court heard that on August 19 last year, they went to Chester to spend the day with friends, but an argument ensued over Berry's behaviour towards Ms Jones' friends.

Back at home, their arguments continued, following which Berry kicked her in the shin.

He then grabbed her around the throat with both hands and strangled her with such force that her legs began to tingle.

She panicked and feared she was going to die.

After Berry released her, he put his fingers in her mouth and pulled at her cheek.

The victim said the act felt like "he was trying to rip her mouth apart."

Berry had been "so drunk" at the time of the attack, the court heard, he didn't remember it happening - retaining only "hazy" recollections of the events.

He was given a 12 month sentence, suspended for 18 months with 250 hours of unpaid work and 35 days on a building better relationships programme.

Berry, now 38 and of Rhos Street in Ruthin, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday morning, having breached the order by missing probation appointments.

Karl Scholz, prosecuting, told the court Berry had missed two office appointments and three unpaid work programme days.

But, since the breach proceedings, Mr Scholz said there had been "an about turn" in his engagement.

To date, he has completed 65.5 of his 250 days of unpaid work.

Simon Killeen, defending, told the court: "He has been transferred because of his move to the Denbighshire area - the building better relationships programme had not started in Flintshire but that is not the defendant's fault.

"His disengagement stems from his disorganisation and ongoing problems with his shoulder.

"He's now been taken off his original unpaid work allocation and has been put in a charity shop, which will be much lighter.

"I ask Your Honour to give him an opportunity to start this programme - it looks like he is back on track."

Judge Rhys Rowlands told the defendant: "Mr Berry, you were given a chance - on one view, a rare chance.

"I confess I don't think I've ever given anyone a suspended sentence for intentional strangulation.

"The starting point is meant to be 18 months immediate custody.

"If I was in your position, I'd have made sure I kept every appointment and not breached the order.

"I'm not going to brook any more excuses - you're going to have one more chance.

"Do not come back before this court for a further breach because the chances of you getting another opportunity are non-existent."

The Judge added 25 hours of unpaid work to the defendant's order and ordered him to pay £150 costs.