A GIRLFRIEND allegedly strangled and forced to snort cocaine by her boxer ex-partner took an overdose because it was the “only way out”, a jury heard.

Christopher Cooksey, from Pontypool, is on trial also accused of kicking and punching her and making her down a bottle of Malibu.

The sister of the complainant told Cardiff Crown Court she revealed to her that she had been physically assaulted by the defendant.

She said the alleged victim made the admission to her at Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital on December 28, 2017, after taking an overdose of pills.

Her sister told the jury of six men and six women: “She said he had beaten her. She said he had hit her arm and hit her ribs. Her ribs were in such pain she asked for an X-ray.

“It was all a bit jumbled. She couldn’t walk without wincing with her ribs. She said that he had threatened us (her family).

“She said it was the only way she was going to get out alive. She said it was the only way out.

"She said she was going to end up in a body bag.”

She said the complainant had told her the 33-year-old Cooksey had started to “control her” and made her phone him at set times.

The alleged victim’s sister said the couple’s relationship had begun very well towards the end of last year.

She told the court: “She told me she had met a lovely guy called Chris and that they were going on a date.

“She did speak very highly of him. She said he wasn’t Brad Pitt but he was nice to look at.

“She said he was friendly and polite. She said he was lovely, so nice.”

The sister said that contact between the two began to become more infrequent but she put that down to her and Cooksey enjoying a “honeymoon period”.

She said her and the complainant were due to spend Christmas Day together as they did every year.

But when the alleged victim came around to her house only briefly on December 25, her sister said: “She seemed flat … She said Chris was in control of her.

“She told me, ‘This is my life now. I just do as I am told.’

“She said that they were going to his mum’s for Christmas dinner.”

Cooksey, of Glosters Parade, New Inn, denies eight charges.

He is accused of administering a poison or noxious substance with intent, false imprisonment, controlling and coercive behaviour, four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one of assault by beating.

All the allegations are claimed to have taken place last December.

Proceeding.