An abusive man who strangled and threatened to kill his partner in a 'terrifying ordeal' has been jailed.

Lewis Oakley, from Maidstone, repeatedly beat and throttled his victim before pressing the blade of an open pair of scissors against her face and arm.

The assault happened during the early hours of May 16, last year, when Oakley also slapped the victim, pulled her hair and threatened he would burn her house down.

Officers were alerted to a report of a disturbance at the address in Queen Anne Road at 3.30am and Oakley was arrested at the scene within 15 minutes.

The 25-year-old appeared before Maidstone Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and making threats to kill.

Further charges of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship and threats to cause criminal damage were ordered by the court to lie on file.

Oakley was sentenced on Thursday, March 23 to two years and five months’ imprisonment.

He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order.

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Investigating officer, Detective Constable Tamara Beech, of the Maidstone vulnerability investigation team said: "Oakley demonstrated violent behaviour just a matter of weeks after meeting the victim.

"I would like to thank and commend the victim for her bravery in supporting us with the investigation and prosecution..."

"He subjected her to a terrifying ordeal which at times saw her struggling to breathe and caused cuts and bruises to her face and body.

"I would like to thank and commend the victim for her bravery in supporting us with the investigation and prosecution, which has thankfully resulted in a violent man being locked away, unable to cause further harm to other potential victims.

"We take all reports of violence against women and girls extremely seriously and urge anyone suffering at the hands of a violent offender to call 999 when an incident is taking place."