A violent thug who burst blood vessels in his ex-partner's face when he tried to strangle her has been jailed for attempted murder.

Christopher Hamilton, 30, from Chatham, went on a two-day drug binge before going to Laina Ward's house and grabbing her around the neck with both hands until she passed out.

Hamilton, of Trelawn Crescent, admitted attempted murder and was sentenced to nine years and four months in jail at Maidstone Crown Court.

In a victim impact statement, Miss Ward said she thought she was going to die during the attack, branded "sickeningly violent" by police.

Judge Jeremy Carey told Hamilton: "This was a terrifying experience. The very idea that you come round and can't breathe and think you are dying is the most appalling circumstance.

"This is a long sentence and one which is entirely justified."

The judge also ordered Hamilton to be on licence for two years and eight months after his release.

Mary Jacobson, prosecuting, said Hamilton and Miss Ward had had a year-long relationship which ended a month before he tried to throttle her on June 16.

In the early hours of that day, Miss Ward was at her home in Corporation Street, Rochester with her children when Hamilton called round and shouted her name. She told him she did not want to see him but he persisted.

She eventually let him in because she did not want her children woken up but then she asked him to go. Miss Ward said Hamilton was under the influence of drink or drugs.

Miss Jacobson said: "He refused to leave and an argument started in the kitchen. She opened the door and Hamilton went outside.

"He then burst back through the door and came at her. He grabbed her by the throat with both hands. The force of that pushed her five feet across the floor.

"This was a sickeningly violent attack on a defenceless woman who had no chance against Hamilton... She regained consciousness lying on the hard floor and covered in bruises and burst blood vessels..." - PC John Griffin

"She tried to pull his hands from her throat. She was panicking and fighting for breath. She passed out and the next thing she remembers is coming to on the floor.

"Hamilton was shouting at her to breathe. After placing an ice pack on her eye he left."

Hamilton said once he realised what he had done, he pumped her chest and brought her back to consciousness.

He later told police: "I did bring her back but, yeah, I tried to kill my ex-girlfriend."

She did not report the attack to the police, even though she was left with several injuries including bruising, cuts and burst blood vessels over her face.

Hamilton returned to Miss Ward's home on June 30 and July 20 and caused a scene, Miss Jacobson said.

The police were called and Miss Ward told them about the incident on June 16. When interviewed by police, Hamilton admitted the attack and said he had "snapped".

Hamilton had previous convictions, including theft, assault, attempted robbery and in 2009, an armed robbery.

Kerry Moore, defending, said drugs played a part in the attack on Miss Ward. "He admitted the offence frankly because he realised the gravity of what he had done and regretted it deeply," Mr Moore said. "It was an impulsive action."

Judge Carey told Hamilton: "You had been on a drugs binge taking amphetamine for the previous two days and you were out of control.

"You got hold of Miss Ward with extreme violence, strangled her and intended to kill her.

"She must have been close to death and the burst blood vessels all over her face attest to the fact that this was a near-death experience for her. Even when she came round she thought she was dying.

"She had commendable restraint and did not report this to the police but you went round to her house twice more. The effect of this will never leave her memory."

Judge Carey also imposed a restraining order on Hamilton.

Investigating officer PC John Griffin said: "This was a sickeningly violent attack on a defenceless woman who had no chance against Hamilton.

"He claimed it was done in the heat of the moment and that they had a volatile relationship. This is absolutely no excuse.

"His victim regained consciousness lying on the hard floor and covered in bruises and burst blood vessels.

"Even then, she was too scared of Hamilton to report the incident to police for several weeks, which goes to show how terrified she was of her abuser.

"It is not uncommon for domestic abusers to terrorise their victims into silence time and again before any incidents will be reported.

"I would like to commend the victim's bravery in coming forward and supporting a prosecution against her former partner.

"I welcome the news Hamilton will be spending a substantial amount of time behind bars and hope this gives his victim the strength she needs to move forward and rebuild her life."

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