A WOMAN who was strangled and assaulted by her ex-boyfriend has thanked the detectives who brought her abuser to justice.

Ben Barnsley, 32, launched the cowardly attack at a property in Beckford Road, Mistley, in January.

After shouting abuse he threw items at her, including a welly and a hoover, which struck the victim to her head.

When she went upstairs to check her injuries, Barnsley pushed her onto a bed and began to strangle her.

Braintree and Witham Times: Woman beater - Ben Barnsley has been jailed for three-and-a-half yearsWoman beater - Ben Barnsley has been jailed for three-and-a-half years (Image: Essex Police)

After she managed to break free, Barnsley threw a pint glass at her which smashed and cut her upon impact.

He then fled the address when his victim, who was left cuts and bruising, dialled 999.

Barnsley, of Ronald Road, Halstead, and formerly of Braintree, was jailed for three-and-a-half years on Monday.

It followed a jury convicting of assault causing actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation and criminal damage at Basildon Crown Court.

He admitted breaching a non-molestation order.

Barnsley’s victim has now thanked Det Con Debbie Jakeman for her support throughout the investigation.

Braintree and Witham Times: Jail time - Barnsley was jailed at Basildon Crown CourtJail time - Barnsley was jailed at Basildon Crown Court (Image: PA/Press Association Images)

She said: “I appreciate everything she’s done. She was really good from the beginning. She continued to keep in contact with me.

“I know in these cases people can often drop their support for a prosecution, and I felt embarrassed about the whole situation.

“It is quite a daunting thing to go through something like this and I actually felt really guilty about everything, like it was my fault.

“She helped me to appreciate it wasn’t my fault and every stage of the process was communicated back to me.”

Barnsley was further sentenced for assaulting a police officer and drink driving, relating to an incident which took place in August 2022.

After his van was signaled to stop in Braintree, Barnsley fled on foot, but was caught by police officers.

In the struggle which followed, it took five officers to get the offender under control.

During his sentencing, Barnsley was banned from driving for 18 months and a restraining order was imposed for ten years, prohibiting further contact with the victim.