A MAN who tried to strangle his partner in an attack which left her fearing for her life has been sentenced.

The woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – has told the Mercury she thought she was going to die at the hands of her now ex-partner, Mark Slade.

Slade, aged 41, of Marindin Drive, Weston, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by beating against his ex-girlfriend between February 1 and February 28, on March 2 and on March 15.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of assault against a second female on March 15.

The pair were in a relationship for six months and his ex-partner said: “He attacked me on March 15 and it wasn’t the first time.

“He tried to strangle me, I had to flee the house and take my children and call the police.

“I thought he was going to kill me. He attacked me in the bedroom and I managed to escape.

“I had to get my son out of bed. He was asleep so I grabbed him and ran down the stairs.

“I was in a nightie, my son was in his pyjamas. We had no shoes on.”

Slade pleaded guilty to all the offences on April 23 and was sentenced at North Somerset Courthouse on Friday.

He was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years and was ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

He was given a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim or her children.

His ex-partner has since spoken to the Mercury in the hope her story will encourage other women to leave violent relationships.

She said: “The police have been brilliant. They have been so supportive all the way along. I have had the support I need.

“I just think men like him need stopping. He cannot be allowed to do this.

“I don’t want other women stuck in violent relationships. It is not acceptable.”

She said anyone experiencing similar issues should seek help, and go to the police.

She said: “They need to ask for a record under Clare’s Law.”

The law was introduced in 2014 and gives the public the right to ask about an individual’s criminal record if they believe they may be at risk.