Nicholas barker python

A dad-of-three who beat his girlfriend with a hair grip and threatened to kill her three times blamed stroke medication for his violent behaviour.

Building project manager Neil Barker claimed the seizures and ongoing treatment changed his personality and turned him into a bully.

The result was a campaign of domestic violence against his partner as their 18-month relationship neared its end.

Prosecutor Andrew Espley told how on separate occasions 53-year-old Barker assaulted his girlfriend by strangling her, using a hair grip and finally threatening her with a knife.

The attacks were accompanied by death threats on each occasions, he told Canterbury Crown Court.

Barker, of Laura Way, Hoo, was this week jailed for two years after admitting seven offences of making death threats and assaults by beating.

Judge Adele Williams told him: “This was an appalling catalogue of domestic violence which has me