A FORMER drug addict punched and throttled his girlfriend after she complained he was spending rent and food money on heroin.

Father-of-one Steven Edge, aged 27, of Boothen Road, Stoke, admitted assaulting his partner in June. But a letter from the woman was given to the judge at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday in support of Edge.

Phillip Beardwell, prosecuting, said: "He had a blue Stanley knife. Following a brief verbal altercation, she went to bed and heard him put the television on.

"She then asked him to leave. He grabbed her by the neck and started to strangle her. She slapped him and he punched her three or four times.

"He put the knife to her face. She said, 'give it to me', and he did, but not before putting it to his neck and saying he hated himself and apologising."

The court heard Edge has now got part-time work in a crisp factory.

Stuart Muldoon, defending, said: "He was abusing heroin and alcohol. He is ashamed and has since tried to do something with his life. He is now free from heroin."

Edge was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. Edge is also subject to a two-year supervision order and ordered to pay £750 costs.