James Whiteley had been behaving aggressively when he demanded money off his partner when she returned from work.

Norwich Crown Court heard the 37-year-old, who had been in a relationship with the victim since June 2024, then pushed the woman.

She fell on the stairs and hit her head on the wall, before being grabbed around the throat by Whiteley.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Whiteley, who had been drinking, was also being "humiliating and denigrating" towards the victim who gave him £40 due to the threats made to her before leaving the Poringland property.

Poringland sign (Image: Newsquest)

The defendant then grabbed the keys to the victim's VW Golf before getting in it and driving after her.

After catching her up Whiteley "forced her into the car" before assaulting her, including pulling clumps of her hair out and grabbing her ear.

The court heard the victim was "so scared she thought she was going to die".

She managed to get out of the car before Whiteley, who was under the influence of alcohol, damaged the bumper of the car while reversing into a hedge.

Whiteley was then arrested by police and while "extremely drunk" refused to provide a specimen for analysis.

James Whiteley (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

The defendant, of Neale Avenue, Poringland, appeared at court for sentencing after he previously admitted robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, assault by beating and failing to provide a specimen for analysts, all on April 24 last year.

Jailing Whiteley for a total of 32 months, Recorder Simon Taylor said the victim of these offences had suffered significantly and "remains fearful" of the defendant.

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He said the facts of the offences "demanded an immediate custodial sentence".

Before Whiteley was sentenced, the court heard a statement from the victim who said what happened to her had "destroyed me".

She said she had "lost all my confidence" and can constantly see his face on the day of the offending which "terrifies me".

Martin Ivory, mitigating, said he accepted the offences were "disgraceful".

He said Whiteley has had a "deep-seated and difficult relationship with alcohol" as well as problems with his mental health.

Whiteley was also made the subject of a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim, directly or indirectly, indefinitely.

© Norwich Evening News