A WIRRAL man who strangled his girlfriend and pulled her across the floor by her hair has been jailed.

Robert Woodley, 40, of Maryland Lane, Moreton was in a relationship with the woman for six years before they separated after Woodley was sent to prison in August last year for assaulting her.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this morning (Thursday, November 7) how following his release the pair met up again, despite there being a 10-year restraining order in place for his previous offenses, where the assault continued.

On the evening of July 19 this year, the woman attended Woodley’s home in Moreton where they drank alcohol together.

Philip Asprey, prosecuting, told the court how she described it as being “ok at first” but said Woodley became “angry” and began verbally abusing her and calling her names.

She then fell asleep before the defendant then “woke her up in anger” with his hands around her neck.

Mr Asprey said: “He dragged her from the bed across the floor by her hair.

“He threw her belongings out of the front door.

“She managed to flee the house and run to a nearby bus stop where she managed to get a lift, but she could see him waving a kitchen knife from his bedroom window.”

During the assault, Woodley had ripped patches of hair from her head and caused bruising to her neck and arm.

The court heard how she was in “so much pain” she thought she had broken her arm.

Mr Asprey also informed the court that the victim had since passed away and that Woodley has 34 convictions for 54 offences of a similar nature including domestic violence, harassment and breaching restraining orders.

Chris McMaster, defending, told the court that Woodley had “real prospects of rehabilitation”.

He said: “The incident took place at Mr Woodley's address which she attended willingly.

“At the start of the relationship Mr Woodley said there were happy times in the relationship but admitted it was a was destructive relationship.

“Mr Woodley is grieving at the moment but it is clear there was affection between the two.

“He has been using his time constructively by fully detoxing while in prison.

“He has been honest with me that he has an alcohol problem and his history points towards that.

“He has an issue with alcohol and relationships.

“Mr Woodley is now alcohol free and he hopes to have more time on this planet and doesn’t wish to go the same way as his partner did.”

Sentencing, Judge Stuart Driver KC, said: “You have pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm and breaching a restraining order.

“You have previous convictions for violence on the same victim.

“During the incident, you had your hands around her neck. You are clearly an ongoing danger to women. I note you have made progress in custody and pleaded guilty to the main offence.”

Woodley was sentenced to two years in prison.