A MAN has been jailed for four years after trying to strangle his former girlfriend.

Victim Lesley Keirby woke to find Andrew Proctor sitting on her bed before he tied a strap round her neck, leaving her struggling for breath.

Later, Procter, of Winward Close, Lower Darwen, punched and kicked the woman at her home in Grove Lane, Padiham. About two hours later he was found in a tree at Gawthorpe with a rope around his neck, threatening to commit suicide.

Preston Crown Court heard how Procter, 41, was originally accused of attempted murder and his not guilty plea had been accepted by the prosecution. He pleaded guilty to charges of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and making threats to kill.

The court was told that before the attack, on July 16 this year, the pair had a turbulent five-year relationship that she had ended in April.

Tim Brennand, prosecuting, said Procter broke into her home at about 3am then asked her: "Why don't you love me any more?"

He then said: "It's too late to talk," produced a strap and, wrapping it around his hands, put it around her neck and pulled tight.

After being disturbed by a child in the house, Procter returned and carried out what the prosecution claimed was a sustained attack with his fists and feet.

Nearly two hours later the defendant was seen in a tree at Gawthorpe woods with a rope around his neck. He was eventually persuaded to come down without harming himself.

Philip Holden, defending, said: "Plainly he was unable to properly deal with the breakdown of the relationship."