A MAN who grabbed his former girlfriend round the neck in a 'choke hold' and jumped on her car in an attempt to stop her leaving has been given a community order from Skipton magistrates.

Alan Mathewson, 46, admitted assault by beating of the woman at Collinge Road, Cowling on September 17, last year, at an earlier hearing at the Skipton court.

Last Friday, at his sentencing hearing, the court heard how his partner of five years had gone to Mathewson's home in Cowling to collect her belongings and had found him 'in drink'.

The woman described their relationship as 'problematic' and referred to previous incidents fuelled by alcohol.

Prosecuting Melanie Ibbotson said the woman described how Mathewson had grabbed her around the neck and how she had managed to scramble free and flee from the house. She got into her vehicle, Mathewson had got onto the bonnet, and a member of the public intervened, allowing her to drive away.

Ms Ibbotson said the woman said she had been left distressed by the incident.

When he was interviewed by police, Mathewson said he had accepted his relationship with the woman was over, that he had been drinking and that he had grabbed her around the neck and told her not to leave.

Ms Ibbotson said the woman had said she was not seeking a restraining order, or compensation.

Mathewson, of Collinge Road, told the court he was sorry for what had happened, that he was having help and had stopped drinking.

Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order with up to 25 rehabilitation activity days. He will also have to pay costs of £150 and a surcharge of £85.