A MAN who squeezed his girlfriend's neck until she blacked out during an attack at her flat, escaped prison after a judge was told that she continued to support him.

A neighbour of Ashley Jones' girlfriend called the police after she heard her banging on the floor of her flat above, and heard Jones' swearing and threatening her with more violence if she did not stop.

Police found the woman "hysterical and hyperventilating" and with red marks around her neck when they arrived, prosecuting counsel Gareth James told Newport Crown Court.

He said she had been the subject of a "repeated and sustained attack."

The court was told that Jones and his girlfriend had been out on the evening of Sunday June 29 this year, and had been drinking, returning in a taxi with another couple.

Jones had run off when they arrived, only to return to his girlfriend's flat later that night and pull her out of bed before straddling her and putting his hands round her neck.

She banged on the floor to raise the alarm before blacking out, while he threatened her further, said Mr James.

Jones, aged 21, of Elmhurst Close, Trevethin, Pontypool, was found by police in an airing cupboard at the woman's flat.

Judge Philip Richards was told that Jones' girlfriend was supporting him.

He told Jones: "I am concerned about your behaviour. It seems to me that a lot of minimising has gone on, not least on the part of your girlfriend.

"It is not a manly thing to beat up a young girl, who has done nothing more than show you support and comfort. This is the act, essentially, of a coward.

"If there is a repetition of this you can expect to be going to prison.

"I am sure you caused her a considerable amount of terror. It is up to you as to whether you continue to behave like that, but you can be sure the courts will not put up with it.

"You have a great deal to thank your girlfriend for. She has been sympathetic and understanding, and the least you can do is to be contrite in return."

Jones, who pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He must also complete a four-month curfew, a relationships programme, and rehabilitation activity, and must pay £1,000 costs.