A BULLY repeatedly punched his partner in the street in Warrington town centre before strangling her.

Jason Williamson was told by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court that it is a ‘real red flag’ when someone commits an offence of intentional strangulation because it indicates that the person is ‘capable of very much more serious violence’.

The 30-year-old appeared before the court for sentencing on Wednesday after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault, assault of an emergency worker, criminal damaging, intentional strangulation, and possession of cocaine.

Prosecuting, Olivia Randell said on September 30, Williamson and his then partner had been out drinking in Warrington town centre.

The victim told police following the incident that she was ‘not sober’ but ‘not drunk’. However she said Williamson was drunk and he was ‘behaving like he was possessed’.

Ms Randell said how the couple got into an argument outside of a bar on Bridge Street and following this, Williamson placed his forehead against the victim’s and went to headbutt her which caused her to jolt backwards.

After this, she went and sat at a bus stop to call her son who had been out with the couple. He didn’t answer, so she called Williamson who then refused to let her speak to her son.

The victim then made her way to Mersey Street where she turned around to see Williamson following her where he said: “Come on, lets go home before the police come.”

She told police she then remembers him starting to punch her in the head which caused her to fall to the floor.

While she was lay on the floor, Williamson stood over her.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how he then repeatedly punched her before pinning her to the floor and strangling her with both of his hands.

He then punched her more before getting up and walking off and shouting ‘I am done’.

The victim then stood up and grabbed her bags and tried to walk away.

But Williamson took them off her and threw them, before snatching her phone from her and throwing it at the wall.

Ms Randell said how Williamson then punched the victim again and strangled her for a second time, making her feel like she was going to faint.

She called to passers-by for help who then phoned the police.

When officers arrived at the scene, Williamson assaulted one.

He was then searched and found to be in possession of two snap bags – one which contained the remnants of white power and another which contained white power. This was confirmed to be cocaine.

While at the scene, the victim disclosed Williamson had pushed her down the stairs on September 24 following an argument.

Although following this, she refused to cooperate with the police or prosecution service.

The court heard how Williamson has more then 50 previous offences – with 10 being for battery.

Defending, Keira Shaw said ‘it is clear and apparent’ that her client is deeply ashamed of his behaviour and she said that he is ‘extremely remorseful’.

She said: “He told me ‘I am 30 now I need to change my life I cannot continue behaving in this way’.

“It is a shame it has taken him this long to realise that.

“He is struggling to live with what he has done but that is a consequence of his own actions.”

Ms Shaw said Williamson suffers from bipolar and split personality disorder.

Before passing sentence, Judge Andrew Menary said: “You subjected her to a very sustained assault.

“You repeatedly punched her and held your hands around her throat.

“You walked off then came back and assaulted her again.”

Talking about the offence of intentional strangulation, Judge Menary continued: “This is very dangerous indeed, it is the sort of incident that can sometimes lead to catastrophic consequences.

“It is a real red flag when it happens because it indicates that the person is capable of very much more serious violence.”

Williamson received 18 months behind bars.