A MAN who fought on the battlefield in Ukraine has been jailed after violently attacking a woman.

The court heard how Declan Taylor, of Marsh House Lane, has a ‘proven record’ of domestic violence.

He has 25 previous convictions for 46 offences – 10 of which relate to violence.

The 25-year-old of Marsh House Lane appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to strangulation and assault.

Prosecuting, David Watson said how the incident happened on April 2.

Mr Watson said that police were called to reports of a woman in ‘obvious distress’ at Warrington Hospital’s A&E department.

Here, she told officers that she had been in a relationship with Taylor but she had ended it that morning.

Mr Watson said how the defendant had attended her home at 5am and that he lost his temper during an argument and accused the victim of cheating before punching and slapping her in the face and leg.

He then strangled her while making threats, leaving her unable to breath.

Taylor was arrested later that day. He originally told police that it was just a ‘little argument’ and denied assaulting the victim.

By committing this offence, it also put him in breach of a suspended sentence order that was made in 2022 for drug-related offences.

(Image: Cheshire Police)

Defending, Simeon Evans said his client, who had been drinking alcohol on the day of the offence, previously travelled to Ukraine and was enlisted on a voluntary basis into the Foreign Legion where he then fought as a machine gunner in the Battle of Kyiv.

He said that while on the battlefield, Taylor experienced and saw things that have caused him considerable trauma.

Before passing sentence, Judge Louise Brandon said: “You lost your temper during an argument.

“You have a proven history of previous violence which includes within a domestic setting.

“I cannot ignore the fact that you have been given a chance previously.

“The fact you suggested it was a moment of madness does not reflect the reality of your behaviour.

“You are deemed as a high risk of causing serious harm in the future.”

Judge Brandon said that the only appropriate punishment is one of an immediate custodial sentence.

She handed Taylor 36 months behind bars.