A man who turned up at his ex-partner's house and dragged her back inside as she tried to escape has avoided a prison sentence.
Dad-of-seven Thomas Bronson, 37, had been in a relationship with his then partner since 2021 but it broke down in October last year.
Leeds Crown Court heard that on October 29 last year, the woman was out with friends when she received a number of abusive text messages from Bronson. Prosecutor Philip Standfast said: "They were abusive and included: 'You f****** dirty little c***, you're going to get your face punched in.'"
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The woman returned home at around 1.30am and was unlocking her door when Bronson appeared. Mr Standfast said: "She went into her house and he followed her. She went upstairs and he was downstairs.
"He was crying and saying he wanted her. She told him she didn't want him and went down to call 999 on the landline but he pulled the wires out."
It was said the woman then tried to call the emergency services from her mobile phone but Bronson - who appeared in court via a video link from HMP Leeds - took it from her and threw it in a box.
The woman tried to shout for help but Bronson "put his hand around her mouth". Mr Standfast added: "She tried shouting and he put his hands on her mouth and nose. He went into the kitchen and she ran out the front door. She got a short distance away and he pulled her back into the house."
It was said Bronson then started to self harm and the woman told him she was going to bed but managed to retrieve her phone and call the police.
When officers arrived, they found Bronson to be in possession of a knife - which he had taken from the victim's home - and cocaine. During his interview, he said he was "maybe more drunk than he thought he was" and said: "If I f***** up, I f***** up."
The court heard he went on to plead guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, sending malicious communications and possession of cocaine. Mr Standfast said he had no previous convictions but a caution for battery and criminal damage which related to a domestic violence incident. He also had a caution for two counts of malicious communications and harassment.
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Mitigating, Richard Barradell, said Bronson was supported by his parents who "did not condone what he had done" but "they want him to get help". Mr Barradell said Bronson has plans to set up his own business, as he has worked as an engineer and will work with wood burning stoves.
The barrister said: "His relationship broke down five years ago and he was diagnosed with cancer and rather than put his health first, he went off the rails and took drink and drugs and says he hates the person he became. He wishes to make clear that under the influence he is a horrible person and it's not the man he wants to be or intends to be from now on."
It was said the victim did not want to cooperate with the court process.
His Honour Judge Phillips KC spared Bronson an immediate custodial sentence, instead making him the subject of a two-year community order. Bronson must pay £1,242 in costs, attend 33 sessions of the Building Better Relationships programme, complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and undertake a six month alcohol treatment requirement.
He was also made the subject of a five-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting directly or indirectly the victim or attending at her home in Bodmin Place, Leeds.
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