A BRIDGWATER man told his estranged wife: “I'm not going to hurt you, I'm going to kill you” during a brutal booze-fuelled assault, a court has heard.

Taunton Crown Court was told last week how 44-year-old Robert Smith was drinking vodka with his wife Claire at his Thompson Close home in January when a row broke out about his 13-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

The court heard how Smith pulled her up from her chair, dragged her into the hallway, and repeatedly smacked her head against a wall.

After threatening to kill her, Smith dragged his wife upstairs and into the bathroom, where he pulled clumps out of her hair, placed his hands around her throat three times and punched her left eye, before telling her: “You're not leaving this bathroom because people will see what I have done to you.”

The attack only stopped after two police officers knocked on Smith's door. He was arrested at the scene.

The court was told that when questioned, Smith admitted the attack and was full of remorse when shown photographs of his wife's injuries.

Rebecca Bradbury, defending, said Smith was sorry about his behaviour and wanted to undertake domestic and alcohol abuse programmes for the sake of his children.

Smith was sentenced to 18 months in prison for causing actual bodily harm, and nine months concurrent for breaching an order, imposed last March, not to contact his wife.

Judge Graham Hume Jones said: “This was a particularly violent attack and it wasn't just a one off blow, she was subject to unpleasant injuries.

“It seems to me, looking at your background, there is persistent violence towards this woman and the time has come when a prison sentence has got to be given.”