A DOMESTIC abuser has been jailed for 25 months for threatening a former partner with a bread knife and punching her in the face.

Gosal Singh had failed to heed previous warnings about his use of violence in relationships, the judge locking him up said.

Singh, 53, of Gurbax Court, Bradford Moor, Bradford, pleaded guilty to threatening with a bladed article and assault by beating on May 14.

He also admitted harassing the woman with persistent unwanted contact and attending at her address without her consent.

Prosecutor Philip Adams said the victim ended her relationship with Singh because of his drinking and controlling behaviour.

He went to her flat at 7pm to try to persuade her to take him back. When she refused, he held a bread knife to her head and threatened to stick it into her.

She pushed him away, injuring her hand and locked herself in the bathroom. But Singh got in and punched her in the face causing a swollen lip.

He left but returned to shout abuse outside, Bradford Crown Court heard.

He was arrested when the police found him drunk nearby.

Mr Adams said the harassment offence began two weeks before that.

Singh shouted threats outside the address, saying he would slit her throat.

She blocked his number but he used a different one and left 22 messages that were abusive and threatening. He lost his temper and was screaming uncontrollably down the phone.

Singh was bailed with conditions not to contact the woman but he traced her to a new address, took possession of her keys and refused to leave. She fled after an argument and he was arrested again.

The victim had been left traumatised and unable to sleep. She had given up her job and moved addresses to avoid Singh. Her life had been turned upside down, she stated.

Singh had four previous convictions for ten offences, including assaults.

Giles Grant said in mitigation that his course of conduct was largely affected by his use of alcohol. He was able to think more clearly while on remand in HMP Leeds. He had attained the status of a wing cleaner and was attending the gym and educational courses.

He was sorry for what he had done and had caring responsibilities for his mother.

Recorder Tahir Khan KC said Singh had a history of offending against two former partners. It was violence in a domestic context that was a serious aggravating factor.

He attended at the woman’s flat, threatened her with a bread knife by putting it to her head and then punched her in the face.

Using a knife or threatening with one was something he had done to an ex-partner.

“You have singularly failed to heed the warnings you have received about violence in relationships,” Recorder Khan said.

Singh had then sent numerous abusive messages that caused a great deal of stress and anxiety.

“Your attentions were mostly unwanted and the way that you behaved towards her left her in fear and traumatised by the abuse that you perpetrated against her,” the recorder said.

An indefinite restraining order prohibits Singh from contacting the woman by any means.