A 32-year-old Exeter man carried out a violent attack on his partner on her birthday, a court has heard.
Michael Lockhart began arguing with the woman before pushing her and dragging her by the hair, Exeter Crown Court was told.
The assault ended with him putting his hands around her neck and strangling her. She recalled that during the attack his eyes looked "gone" and his expression like "he wasn't there".
The attack was one of several committed by Lockhart against his partner, the court heard. On other occasions he left her with a black eye and bleeding from the mouth.
Judge David Evans said Lockhart had an "ugly attitude" and should be jailed. Lockhart, of Exeter, was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison.
He pleaded guilty to offences of battery, strangulation and ABH.
The court was told the pair had been in a relationship for 16 years but it was not very stable and arguments were frequent. There were tensions about Lockhart taking drugs and seeing other women.
Lockhart would try to control his partner, belittle her and isolate her from friends and family, said prosecutor Tom Bradnock.
In February of this year he left her with swelling and bruising after slapping her in the face and throwing a PlayStation at her. Later that day he headbutted her, slapped her, flicked a lit cigarette and hit her with a child's toy.
On another occasion he became angry because his clothes had been left out of the laundry and punched her. Police were called and he was arrested.
The victim said in a statement: "I genuinely believe he can be dangerous. I've lived more than half my life in survival mode."
Lockhart pleaded guilty on the day of the trial. He has previous convictions for arson, domestic violence and criminal damage.
Herc Ashworth, defending, said these were his first offences since 2018 and that he has ADHD.
Judge Evans said: "However much work you have done to reform yourself and whatever prospect of rehabilitation the seriousness of the multiple offences and the dominant, abusive nature are far too serious for a sentence to be anything other than immediate custody."
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Exeter Man Jailed for Strangling Partner on Her Birthday