A “MISOGYNISTIC” Carlisle man attacked his partner while high on alcohol and cocaine, leaving her feeling she was “going to die”.

Kenneth David Pointon, 30, was downstairs and his girlfriend upstairs at her city home on October 18.

Pointon then ran upstairs amid an argument, prompting his fearful partner to try and use a mattress as a makeshift barrier. However, he punched the woman repeatedly to her face and then arms as she desperately tried to defend herself.

“I was screaming at the top of my lungs,” she later told police, describing how Pointon then grabbed her throat and squeezed.

“I could not breathe at all and started to think I was going to die,” she added. “He looked into my eyes and all of a sudden let go.”

Pointon had said: “Look what you’ve made me do. You’ve driven me to this.”

He later confessed to downing 10 pints and “a lot of cocaine” before the incident, Carlisle Crown Court was told yesterday (December 14).

The woman suffered swelling and bruising to her face and arm, and also had an earring ripped out.

Pointon admitted assault, occasioning actual bodily harm.

“He does now see a link between alcohol, cocaine and violence, and wishes to break that link,” said his barrier, Alison Whalley.

“He recognises his behaviour was disgraceful. He has expressed his remorse.”

Pointon told the court: “I am willing to change.”

But Judge Peter Davies, passing sentence, spoke of scaffolder Pointon’s “atrocious” record of previous domestic crimes against different female partners, a poor response to past supervision and highlighted a probation report describing him as a “misogynist”.

“That tells me not only you don’t like women and you assault women – and it’s easy to assault women – but you never assault men, do you, which tells me you are a bit of a coward, really,” said Judge Davies.

“This was a sustained, frightening assault by a young man much more physically capable than she was, in her own home.”

Pointon, of Stockwell Road, Carlisle, was jailed for 20 months, and banned from communicating with the victim in any way, and going near home or work addresses, for seven years.

Detective Constable Michael Gilsenan, who oversaw the case, spoke after the sentencing, and said: “This was a brutal attack and Pointon now has time to reflect on his actions.

“Domestic violence is always a priority for Cumbria Constabulary and we take a proactive and sensitive approach to investigating incidents which are reported to us.

“Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can feel reassured that all reports will be dealt with sensitively and professionally.

“Our officers are committed to tackling all types of domestic abuse, prosecuting those responsible and working with partner agencies to support victims and survivors.”

If you have been the victim of domestic abuse, or are concerned for someone who is, you can report this by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

To access support services independently, contact Victim Support 24/7 on 0808 1689111, or or visit the Cumbria Together website www.cumbriatogether.com.