A man has escaped a prison sentence despite strangling a woman in her own home twice and being declared a “high risk” to anyone he is in a relationship with.

Michael Taylor, 42 and from Kitchener Road, Weymouth, appeared before Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, October 26 having pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and one charge of breaching a non-molestation order.

It was deemed "society would benefit" from the defendant having "one final opportunity" by a judge.

On May 2 of this year, Taylor "barged" into his victim’s house, grabbed her by the arms and choked her by placing his hand around her throat.

The victim then went towards the kitchen where she was again grabbed, put into a headlock, and had a chunk of her hair ripped out.

She said that she had "unwittingly" opened the door, thinking it was a friend who had come to visit.

Just days previously, on April 30, Taylor had come to her address in a pre-arranged visit and, following an argument, the defendant had grabbed her by the throat and again tried to choke her. On this occasion Taylor also caused bruising to her arm and leg.

The victim had tried to contact the police but Taylor grabbed her phone and threw it on the floor.

Taylor was already prohibited from contacting his victim after a non-molestation order was imposed by another court on January 10.

The court heard how the order was breached for a third time on May 18 when Taylor was arrested “hiding behind a sofa” at a property in breach of the terms of the order.

The defendant issued a largely 'no comment' interview to the police except to acknowledge he knew about the non-molestation order and that he wasn’t allowed to contact the victim.

The presiding judge, Mr Recorder M Gibney, said the assault on May 2 was, in his judgement, “a bad case” of ABH. He said both assaults were “completely and totally unacceptable.”

Mr Robert Griffiths, mitigating, said Taylor was making “terrific progress” and was “coping in prison but not doing anything to better himself”.

He added that the relationship was “volatile” and a pre-sentencing report noted the defendant had “also been the victim of violence”.

He said the violence was “not all one sided” but said “can’t excuse (Taylor’s) behaviour”.

A pre-sentencing report said Taylor was “a high risk in any such relationship” with Mr Gibney adding he was “potentially a danger to other people”.

Mr Gibney said it was “abundantly clear that the custody threshold had been passed and by some significant margin.”

In passing down sentence, Mr Gibney said: “The root of your problems appear to be alcohol and you have belatedly acknowledged that.”

“What is abundantly clear is that the custody threshold has been passed and by some significant margin.

“I’m quite satisfied that the culpability is high.

“The court’s first responsibility is to ensure the safety of its citizens. The prison officers’ reference and the report of Practice Plus Group (healthcare provider at the prison) indicate you are using your time in custody wisely and that when you are sober it appears you are a very different person.”

He said issuing a suspended sentence was “not an easy option” and warned Taylor he would “get no more chances”.

But Mr Gibney added that “society would benefit” from Taylor being given “one final opportunity”.

Taylor received a suspended sentence totalling 18 months, was ordered to undergo an alcohol abstinence programme for 100 days, attend 42 building better relationship sessions and pay a £156 victim surcharge.

A restraining order was imposed in respect of the victim - banning Taylor from making any direct or indirect contact.