A WOMAN feared she would die after being strangled during a row over beer.

Jamie Harris grabbed a former friend by the throat after she accused him of stealing her bank card to buy alcohol.

The 27-year-old thug admitted one count of assault by beating on the morning of his trial at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

He was already subject to suspended sentences for assault at the time of the attack.

Lucy Miller, prosecuting, said: “Ms Holland went to his home. There was a verbal altercation because Ms Holland was convinced the defendant had taken her card to use it to buy beer from the Premier Off Licence.

“At 11.15pm on Sunday, November 6, she went to his house and found him in possession of beer.

“She took it.

“He grabbed her by the throat and she was struggling for breath.”

Mrs Miller read part of the statement from the victim which stated: “He started squeezing tighter and tighter and I was pushed back against the wall.

“I was struggling to breathe and he told me he was going to kill me.”

After Harris, of Trinity Court, Halstead, let her go she fled to his neighbour's who had witnessed the attack.

They provided her refuge and police were called.

Harris was arrested.

He originally denied assault claiming self defence but has now admitted his crime.

By doing so he saved the victim from giving evidence and will get ten per cent off any sentence as a result.

No charges were brought in relation to the alleged use of the card.

District Judge John Woollard heard Harris was already subject to two suspended sentences including one from Chelmsford Crown Court for common assault.

Harris will be sentenced for this assault, the previous assaults and the breaches of the suspended sentences at another hearing.

Because of the number of offences and the breaches of previous court orders sentencing will take place at Chelmsford Crown Court, where the level of punishment available is greater, on March 31.