A Scots brute who strangled his pregnant girlfriend until she thought she was going to die has been put behind bars.
Connor Bowern had attended a family gathering with the victim and their six-month old baby in July, where he downed "large quantities of alcohol ", including spirits.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the 25-year-old became "disgruntled" by something that was said or done at the get-together and attacked his partner in the taxi home, while warning he was "going to kick the baby out of her".
He continued the attack when they got back home to Blyth, Northumberland, and the victim, who was seven weeks pregnant, told police: "I honestly believed he was going to kill me tonight."
Bowern, of Rosehaugh Road, Inverness, admitted assault and harassment and has been jailed for 14 months, with a lifelong restraining order to keep him away from the victim.
Prosecutor Rachael Glover told the court the violence started when the couple were in the taxi going home with their baby.
Miss Glover said: "The defendant hit the complainant to the back of her head, causing immediate pain.
"He then slapped her across the face.
"He said he was going to kick the baby out of her and pushed her against the window."
The court heard the cabbie asked the woman if she wanted him to call the police when he dropped them off at the house but she refused as she feared it could make things worse.
Miss Glover added: "When they entered the address the complainant was sat on the sofa with the child on her lap when the defendant hit her twice across the face, causing swelling and redness."
The court heard Bowern then punched the victim on the thigh.
Miss Glover added: "She managed to put the baby on the sofa before the defendant grabbed her around the throat, squeezing so hard she couldn't breathe. She thought he was going to kill her.
"She tried to bite him to try and stop him.
"He stopped but a couple of seconds later he strangled her again, with both hands, causing pain, swelling and scratches to her throat."
The court heard Bowern smashed a photo frame and threw items around the house, while warning she was "gong to strangle her in her sleep".
The victim eventually managed to get out of the house and run to a neighbour to get help.
Bowern was arrested and released on bail with conditions not to contact the victim but sent an estimated 300 unwanted texts and calls over the next few days.
The court heard Bowern has three previous convictions and one relates to an offence of violence committed in Inverness, which was not a domestic incident.
Kate Barnes, defending, said Bowern has been to his GP and referred himself for "anger management" since the offence and is "struggling to understand" what made him behave like that.
Miss Barnes said: "He accepts this was thoroughly deplorable and he's thoroughly and visibly ashamed.
"What makes it worse is he has no proper explanation for it."
Miss Barnes said Bowern has settled back in Scotland, has job prospects and will "keep his distance" from the victim as he wants her pregnancy to progress trouble-free.
Mr Recorder Anthony Dunne rejected Miss Barnes' submission that the inevitable jail term could be suspended.
The judge said: "Attacking a pregnant woman in the presence of a young child in circumstances where she effectively cannot escape means, in my judgement, appropriate punishment can only be achieved by an immediate custodial sentence."
