AN offender who intentionally strangled a woman in what was described as a ‘nasty’ assault has been jailed.

Michael Strange committed the assault in Runcorn on Sunday, July 17.

The 33-year-old appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court the following day after being charged with intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

The former is a new charge which only came into effect last month in a Government crackdown to tackle abuse.

The court heard that the strangulation and assault charges involved the same woman, with the criminal damage charge involving her front door.

Before sentencing, district judge John McGarva remarked that the offences were ‘so serious’ that only a custodial sentence could be justified.

He also said that the attack was ‘serious, unprovoked and nasty’, and while the defendant received credit for his guilty pleas, his previous convictions were taken into account.

Strange, of Nortonwood Lane in Runcorn, was sentenced to 52 weeks in prison.

He must also abide by the terms of a restraining order not to contact or approach the woman or enter a named Runcorn street for two years.