A man who threatened to "bury" a woman he was in a relationship with has been handed a community order.
Philip Parfitt admitted aggressive behaviour towards the complainant, which included threats her would "bury her".
Bristol Crown Court heard that, due to his deteriorating mental health, he tried to get himself sectioned but was unable to get help.
Parfitt, 26, of Crowther Park in Lockleaze, pleaded guilty to engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in a relationship between June 1 last year and March 13 this year.
Judge James Patrick handed him a three-year community order with up to 30 days of rehabilitation.
He told Parfitt: "There were four nasty incidents in home of (the complainant).
"What you did will have a long-lasting effect."
Parfitt was given a seven-year restraining order not to have any form of contact with named parties.
James Haskell, prosecuting, said all was well in the relationship initially.
He told the court: "She says at the outset the relationship was good and, ironically, the defendant helped her out of an abusive relationship.
"She wasn't aware of his mental health difficulties.
"The relationship began to go wrong in July last year.
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"The defendant became more unpredictable.
"He made unpleasant and threatening remarks to her."
Mr Haskell cited four incidents of abuse which unfolded.
The first, in November last year, involved Parfitt shouting at the woman and throwing a cigarette lighter which struck her head.
In a second incident in January Parfitt threatened to "bury" her, the court heard, and struck her in the face.
Parfitt was also aggresive and threatening in February, and in March argued with her via text and threatened to kill her.
Robert Morgan-Jones, defending, said: "It is absolutely clear the relationship was good at the start.
"It is absolutely clear this arises in the context of his deteriorating mental health condition."
Mr Morgan-Jones told the court his client had tried but failed to get sectioned and had made every effort to deal with his issues, which included "self-medicating with cannabis".
