A man strangled his former partner when she questioned why he was buying himself a burger as he owed her £30, a court heard.

Southampton Crown Court heard James Holland, 23, launched the violent attack on Weston Shore on June 23, 2023.

Prosecutor Keely Harvey said Holland was in a bad mood and the pair’s argument over the money turned to a physical struggle.

She said: “The victim could feel herself being hit and pushed, before the defendant grabbed her by the throat and took her down to the ground.

“This caused her to struggle to breathe and she felt she had to defend herself.

“Others then stepped in to restrain the defendant.”

Ms Harvey said Holland later told police he was acting in self-defence, and he denied strangling his ex-partner.

READ MORE: First photo of man who lured ‘vulnerable’ woman into park and raped her

But three days later, Holland confronted the woman and her new partner in a park.

Ms Harvey said: “The victim was in the park with her partner and the daughter she shares with the defendant.

“She believes the defendant followed her there. He tried to hug her and kiss her, and she told him to stop.

“She tried to explain she had moved on and was very happy, and he started to threaten to kill himself.

“Suddenly, he ran towards her new partner and pushed him, just as he was picking up the pair’s daughter.

“She fell from the victim’s arms and banged her head on a post, but the defendant continued to try and attack the man.”

Holland, of Nelson Road, Winchester, admitted one count of intentional strangulation and two charges of assault by beating.

Mitigating, Andreas O'Shea said strangulation is a “very serious crime”, but added: “Although he is an adult, there is an element of immaturity there.”

Recorder Barry McElduff said: “It was a reckless assault, but you did not mean to hurt your daughter.”

Holland was handed a 16-month prison sentence suspended for two years and a five-year restraining order.

He must complete 27 rehabilitation activity days and 140 hours of unpaid work.