A MAN was dubbed an “animal” and “terrifying” by a partner he strangled, stabbed and head-butted.

As Louis Pattinson, 28, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today (Wednesday), a judge also heard his violent past included shocking attacks on his own sister and disabled mother.

Pattinson’s latest crimes came to light as the woman was seen stood at the back of a police station acting nervously in February.

She went on to make domestic violence complaints to an officer, having initially spoken of “acting in self-defence”.

“She disclosed that the defendant had strangled her three times by placing his hands around her throat,” said prosecutor Dan Bramhall.

“She told the officer that each time the defendant did that, he became more aggressive with the strangulation getting stronger and longer.”

At that point, the woman took hold of a kitchen knife which she had hidden nearby for such eventualities in the wake of previous incidents.

“Whilst the defendant had his hands around her throat, she told the officer she struck out with the knife in an attempt to get him off her, causing two wounds to his hands,” said Mr Bramhall.

“She also disclosed the defendant managed to grab the knife off her, and stabbed her twice.”

As a result of that incident, which had occurred two days earlier, the woman suffered wounds to her back and leg. These had seemingly begun to heal — without hospital treatment — at the time she made the complaints.

Other large bruises to her right side and torso were noted.

“When asked about that, she was not particularly clear but did disclose to the officer that she would get thrown about, and that she was kicked and punched by the defendant,” said the prosecutor.

She described him as a “panther” who would turn up at any time.

“She said he would be terrifying to any woman,” Mr Bramhall told the court.

The woman would also speak of Pattinson as an “animal” during further disclosures later that month about a second incident.

“She went on to tell them she had been assaulted again,” added Mr Bramhall. “The defendant had dragged her from a sofa on to the floor, and has proceeded to head-butt her.”

The woman made no formal complaints about Pattinson’s violence and had spoken of being fearful of him. But after a jury trial he was convicted of non-fatal strangulation, wounding and assault by beating.

The court heard Pattinson had previous convictions for assaults on his sister, by holding her by the throat and kicking her; his mother by repeatedly stamping on her head and threatening to kill her; and also his partner.

Judge Barker noted Pattinson, of Howe Street, Carlisle, had a difficult upbringing, a troubled relationship with drugs and that his relationship with the woman had been “chaotic”.

Imposing a 46-month jail term and a restraining order banning him from contacting the woman, the judge said: “It seems to me there should be no repetition of the relationship with the woman. It is clearly an unhelpful relationship for her.”

Of the wounding incident, Judge Barker added: “She was clearly terrified of you and highly fearful for her life.”

He added that strangulation was a particularly traumatic offence, saying: “The person being strangled does not know what the intentions of the other are, and whether that pressure is going to continue and continue to the point at which they are no longer able to breathe.”