The incident began when the woman objected to him drinking alcohol in front of the children, a court has heard.
Anthony Mark Jackson Jackson (37), of Dunedin, was at the woman’s home in Milton, on May 12, when she said he should not drink alcohol in front of the children.
Jackson swore at her, increased the loudness of offensively-worded music on the stereo, and refused to turn it off.
He also refused to leave the woman’s house, instead telling her to leave, court documents said.
The woman agreed to go, but Jackson would not let her take the children with her and began pushing her out the back door.
She turned away from him and braced herself in the doorway.
Unable to push her out, Jackson put his arm around her throat in a choke hold and squeezed tightly.
After she elbowed him causing him to let go, he lifted her, walked her outside and threw her on to the ground where there were pot plants.
One of the pots broke against her ribs.
Reaching down, Jackson put one hand around the woman’s neck.
She kicked up at his groin. He let go and walked back inside.
The woman followed and walked past Jackson towards the room where the children were.
Jackson pulled her back by the hair, taking her to the floor where he held her by the throat.
He got off immediately when the children walked into the room.
The victim left with the children and phoned police.
On three charges from the incident — breaching a protection order, strangulation and injuring with reckless disregard — Judge David Robinson imposed 28 months’ jail.
Sentencing the man in the Dunedin District Court last week, the judge said the victim suffered physical injury and emotional harm.
"She was shocked you would do something so violent to her, especially in front of children.
"She describes you as having complete disregard for the law."
A prior conviction for strangulation heightened the gravity of the offending, the judge said.
However, from pre-sentence material it appeared Jackson was starting to show some concern about the effects of his behaviour.
What he had been exposed to as a youngster had had an impact on him. He did not want it to continue.
Counsel Meg Scally said Jackson was remorseful and making efforts to change.
