Mr Stanway said: “The defendant started shouting and screaming at her. He grabbed her by the throat and started squeezing. “She said she couldn’t breathe and thought she was going to pass out. She said he was in a rage. “He then put both hands around her neck and lifted her off the floor. She thought he was going to kill her. “The defendant made threats and said he knew a friend in prison who would burn her house down. “He then punched her to the face and she felt her nose crack. Blood was pouring from her nose and mouth and she was screaming.”