A MAN who threw a television at his former partner during a “massive rage” in which he subjected her to a terrifying four hour ordeal has been jailed for two years.

Michael Dixon became jealous when he saw apparently innocent messages the female victim had exchanged with another man and attacked her after the couple went to bed following a night out.

Teesside Crown Court heard the woman was asleep and was awoken at 5am by Dixon screaming at her and punching her around the head and face.

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh said Dixon picked up a television and threw it at her, although she managed to deflect it with her hand.

The 28-year-old defendant grabbed her by the hair, banging her head against a wall, and also smashed her mobile phone.

He then put his hands around her neck and tried to strangle her. The victim believed she was going to be killed, Ms Haigh said.

She said the woman was crying, but Dixon continued to strike her and damage various items around the flat.

Dixon, of Acclom Street, Hartlepool, eventually left at about 9am, but not before smashing a living room window.

The victim, a waitress, said she believed she was lucky to be alive. She suffered a suspected broken cheekbone, bruising and swelling and an injury to her left hand.

In a statement she said: “I have never seen him like this before, I cannot believe he could be so evil.”

Dixon admitted assault and criminal damage on September 17 this year.

His barrister Stephen Constantine said Dixon intended to move to Liverpool following his release from jail and he did not oppose a restraining order placed on him.

Judge Simon Phillips said it was a sustained assault and said Dixon, who had already been recalled to prison, would serve a two year jail term.