A 61-year-old man has admitted an assault on his partner during which he strangled and punched her.

Nicholas Stephen Brough, of Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey, pleaded guilty to common assault on a female.

He will be sentenced on May 14 after a probation report has been prepared.

Prosecutor Roger Kane told the court that, on March 17, Brough and his then girlfriend had been drinking at pubs in Douglas from 1pm.

At 11pm they went to Jaks on Granville Street and started to quarrel.

The couple then went to the Ellan Vannin Hotel where the woman was staying and went to her room.

Once there, the pair started arguing again and Brough was said to have climbed on top of the woman and put his hands around her neck.

He started to strangle her until she kicked him causing him to fall backwards.

But Brough continued his attack by punching the woman twice in the face.

The woman said she feared for her life, so she told Brough she needed to use the bathroom but instead escaped and left the room.

She got another patron in the hotel to call the police but by the time they arrived Brough had left.

Brough drove to Jurby airfield but was located by police and arrested.

When he was arrested he told police: ’I did it. I drove my car drunk.’

Blood was taken at Noble’s hospital and the results are awaited.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes ruled that the court should wait for the results to see if a drink-driving charge was also being pursued.

Bail was granted with conditions that Brough live at his bail address, not enter Westmoreland Road in Douglas, continue to contact the probation service, and not leave the island without court permission.

Mrs Hughes ruled that the probation report should consider all options, including custody.