Thug breached restraining order and strangled former girlfriend in attack at her Pontefract home

Adam Hawksby carried out the assault at the victim's home in Pontefract on September 12 this year.

A month before the incident Hawksby had been handed the restraining order which prevented him from contacting her or going to her home.

Leeds Crown Court heard the 37-year-old was invited by the victim to go to her home but was still in breach of the order by going there.

They spent the evening drinking but an argument broke out between them the next morning at 8am.

Hawksby pushed the victim's head into a pillow and she struggled to breathe.

While doing so he said to her: "I'm going to kill you."

Hawksby released his grip on her but then placed his hands tightly around her neck.and began to strangle her.

Neighbours heard the disturbance and called police.

Officers arrived and arrested Hawksby near to the property on Monkhill Drive.

As he was arrested he said: "I'm silly for going to the address. I'm going to go to prison now."

He refused to comment further when interviewed about the incident.

Hawksby, of Front Street, Pontefract, pleaded guilty to common assault and breach of a restraining order.

The court heard Hawksby was given the restraining in August for an attack on the same victim in February this year during which he strangled her.

Kate Bisset, mitigating, said Hawksby is receiving help for drug and alcohol problems while in custody and is motivated to turn his life around.

Ms Bisset said Hawksby accepted he must receive a prison sentence for his latest offences and pleaded guilty at an early stage.

The barrister said Hawksby was no longer in a relationship with the woman.

He was jailed for 12 months.