A MAN has been jailed for almost two years for strangling his ex-partner, leading her to believe she was going to die.

Ricky Harman, of Northumbria Road, Maidenhead, was due to stand trial at Reading Crown Court today (March 20) for two counts of strangulation and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

However, the 44-year-old instead pleaded guilty causing the trial to crack and enabling Judge Sarah Campbell to sentence him.

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Prosecuting, Divya Puri told the court that he had been staying with his ex-partner at the time of the incident on September 18 last year.

The pair and a friend went to the shop to buy alcohol at about 8.30pm but when they returned the victim described Harman’s mood as ‘deteriorating’.

Ms Puri said: “All of a sudden Mr Harman launched himself at her causing them both to fall on the sofa bed and both of her arms were held down.

“She then described trying to go to the front door but being stopped by Mr Harman and thrown against the wall.

“[Later on, the victim] asked Mr Harman to give her a rizla paper and he said, ‘F*** off you dirty s***’ and threw an iron at her.

“He then put both his hands around her neck and she couldn’t breathe. She lashed out at him and got him to stop. He launched at her a second time and said words to the affect of, ‘I’m going to finish you off this time.’

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“She kicked Mr Harman in the groin which caused him to stop.”

The court the victim was able to get to the bathroom and text her neighbour for help, asking them to call the police and report a disturbance.

Harman then ‘dragged’ her out the house to meet a friend where she proceed to consume 27 prescription tablets.

Ms Puri said: “She thought if she was going to die it wasn’t going to be at the hands of Ricky.”

Harman then took her back to her address where the victim fell asleep. Police later arrived at 3am and arrested Harman who denied the incident at police interviews on September 19 and September 30.

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Sentencing, Judge Sarah Campbell jailed him to 27 months in prison for count one and 18 months in prison for count two and three.

He was also issued a five year restraining order and a victim surcharge order was made.