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Matthew Stark, 40, first met the woman in February last year and the two began a relationship.

On 14 November the pair were drinking at Stark’s home in Saltmarsh, Peterborough, when the victim spilt a drink on the carpet.

Enraged, Stark shouted at her and pushed her to the floor as she attempted to leave. He kicked her to the head multiple times, despite her pleas for him to stop, and then strangled her. The attack left the woman with cuts, a bleeding nose and bruising to her face.

The victim, who is in her 30s, managed to get up and went to look for her phone to call an ambulance. At one point when she was on the phone Stark took the handset and told the call handler that she had fallen over and hit her head on the radiator.

When police arrived Stark, also known as Matthew Pinfold, was arrested.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment, where it was also established she had concussion.

Stark replied “no comment” to all questions in interview, but later went on to plead guilty to common assault.

Yesterday (11 February) at Peterborough Crown Court he was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for a year.

DC Amanda Pickering said: “Stark’s behaviour that day was completely despicable. He totally lost his temper and subjected the victim to an awful attack.

“We are doing all we can to tackle domestic abuse and bring perpetrators to justice. I would appeal to anyone in an abusive relationship to seek help and report what has happened to them.”

A police spokesman said they would strongly urge anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to contact police on 101 or call the national domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247. For more advice and support on domestic abuse, visit www.cambs.police.uk/domesticabuseEarlier today a domestic abuse survivor spoke out about her experiences, and gave advice to those who are suffering abuse

MORE: Cambridgeshire domestic abuse survivor shares important message ahead of Valentine's Day

Local and national support for victims:

Always dial 999 in an emergency. If victims are in danger and cannot speak, dial 999 then press 55. They will be transferred to a call handler who will attempt to ask simple yes or no questions. If they can’t speak at all, listen carefully to the questions and instructions of the call handler so they can assess and arrange help.

Police 101 non-emergency number

Police web chat Police online crime report Cambridgeshire’s Victim and Witness Hub - 0800 781 6818

Cambridge Women’s Aid – 01223 361214

Peterborough Women’s Aid – 08454103123

Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough Refuge – 07787255821

Men’s Advice Line – 08088010327

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 08082000247

National Stalking Helpline – 08088020300

LGBT Abuse Helpline – 08009995428

Honour Based Abuse Helpline – 08005999247

Cambridge Rape Crisis - 01223 245888

Peterborough Rape Crisis - 01733 852578