A WOMAN thought she would die while being attacked and strangled by her then partner as a birthday trip to the Lakes ended in shocking violence, a court heard.

A relationship between Tyler Shepherd and the woman began early last year but had 'gone badly'.

There was a short period of separation before contact resumed in January 2024 when Shepherd, 24, professed his love for her.

Later that month, they went to Bowness-on-Windermere’s Aphrodite hotel to celebrate his birthday, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

“She was buying him presents on the way,” said prosecutor Brendan Burke.

An initial incident on licensed premises saw Shepherd being ejected and barred from local pubs. And after a supermarket argument, the woman returned to their hotel by taxi and he returned by foot an hour later after a lengthy walk.

“He was angry because it had been raining and he was wet, blaming that situation on her,” said Mr Burke.

“He then grabbed her by the throat, slapping her face forcefully enough she fell to the floor.

“He pinned her down by kneeling against her arms and chest. He was shouting at her.

“He then began squeezing her throat so she began to struggle to breathe and, subsequently, lost consciousness. She said he had a look in his eye as if he was going to kill her.

“He could see from the fade in her eyes that she couldn’t breathe. He just kept going until she passed out.”

Shepherd punched her across the body, spat at her and, as his violence continued, grabbed her throat again and delivered more punches.

The woman returned home to Scotland the following morning following an expensive taxi ride, and was billed £400 for a “trashed” hotel room.

“As a result of the attack she suffered extensive bruising all over her upper body, a burst lip and had difficulty swallowing, still struggling with that a week later,” said Mr Burke.

She also produced an impact statement about the attack. “It was, she says, the most terrifying experience of her life and she thought she would die,” added the prosecutor.

Shepherd, of Shawhill Road, Annan, admitted actual bodily harm and strangulation. The court heard he had 24 previous offences to his name, all — said his barrister, Andrew Evans — stemming from binge-drinking.

Shepherd had penned a letter to the court seeking to say sorry, and had told a probation officer of his “contrition and regret”.

“He wishes to apologise to his former partner,” said Mr Evans.

Shepherd was handed a 27-month jail term and banned from contacting the woman indefinitely.