A SWANSEA man who beat up his girlfriend when she refused to have sex with him has been jailed.

Amanda Clapham, from Neath, thought she was going to die when Ashley Scott James seized her by the throat in the attack, a court heard.

She was the victim of a vicious and sustained assault when James lost his temper following a drinking session on his 36th birthday.

The incident was described at Swansea Crown Court when James, of Ilston Way, West Cross, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Emma Myles, prosecuting, said trouble flared at Miss Clapham's home in Helen's Road, Melin, on April 11 when James wanted to have sex. Miss Clapham said she was too tired, but the defendant would not accept this — and during an argument he became aggressive and made a series of threats.

James then suddenly sat astride Miss Clapham and seized her by the throat with both hands, leaving her fighting for breath and fearing she was going to die.

The attack continued with him kicking her and dragging her along the floor.

Mrs Myles said that when police officers arrived at the address, James refused to open the door.

The officers had to force their way in and he was arrested after a struggle.

As he was being taken away, Miss Clapham said to him: "I can't believe you tried to strangle me."

James replied: "You don't know who you're messing with."

Nicola Preece, in mitigation, said James had been extremely upset before coming into the courtroom for the sentencing hearing.

"He has a grave problem with alcohol and is very sorry for his actions that night," said the barrister, who added that Miss Clapham had not been seriously injured.

Miss Preece added that James now had a new partner who had accompanied him to court.

Sentencing James to 18 months, Judge Peter Heywood said Miss Clapham had been the victim of a vicious and sustained attack and a prison term was the only proper way of dealing with the case.