NEIGHBOURS tried to intervene when an argument between a Cowling man and his estranged partner spilled out into the street, heard magistrates.

Alan Mathewson, 46, grabbed the woman around her neck and jumped on the bonnet of her car as she tried to drive off from his home in Collinge Road on September 17, the Skipton court was told.

Prosecuting, Christopher Rowe, said the woman had gone to Mathewson's house in a pre-arranged visit to collect her belongings.

In a statement read out in court, the woman described Mathewson as drunk and 'wobbly', that he 'stunk of booze', and that a neighbour with him at the time was holding a can of drink.

The woman, finding her belongings had not been packed up, attempted to leave, but was blocked by Mathewson, despite the other man telling him to let her go.

She eventually managed to 'bolt for the door', but on her way to her car, she fell over Mathewson's motorbike.

Mr Rowe said Mathewson then grabbed the woman's arms and put his hands around her neck in a choke hold, putting pressure on her neck.

Neighbours were shouting at Mathewson and asking the woman if she was all right, he said.

She managed to get away and into her car, but Mathewson jumped onto its bonnet, shouting 'she's not going anywhere, I will never let her go'.

Mathewson, who had initially denied assault by beating, but who changed his plea to guilty on the day of his trial, apologised to the court, said he was having counselling, and claimed he and the woman were now planning to get married.

"We are back in a relationship, and want to get married and hopefully there will be no more trouble or arguing, " he said.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for a report until February 2, with the condition that he not contact the woman in any way, or to enter the road in Skipton where she lives.