A violent thug from Cornwall has been jailed for strangling a teenager and repeatedly attacking her as he drove her home.

Oliver Haisman, 26, also failed to provide a breath specimen when police found him behind the wheel swaying and with glazed eyes.

Haisman, from Launceston, appeared at Truro Crown Court earlier this year for sentence having pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, three assaults, possession of cocaine and failing to provide a breath specimen. All the offences put him in breach of a suspended sentence given to him for wounding.

Prosecuting the case, Ryan Murray described how Haisman and the teen victim got on well when he was sober but she noticed he could be aggressive when drunk. He confided in her about his violent past and the two entered into an intimate relationship.

The offences took place over two separate dates towards the end of last year. The first involved Haisman strangling the victim following a play fight and refusing to relinquish his grip despite her pleading with him to stop. Haisman then slammed the victim up against the wall. On the second occasion Haisman took exception at the victim stating her intention to go out on her own, saying it was against his traveller heritage.

Haisman then threatened to “seriously hurt” her before hitting her in the face with a flip flop. The victim insisted Haisman took her home and the remaining assaults took place on that drive and started with the defendant screaming in her face and punching her. He then shoved her head into the window before stopping the car, turning back and saying “you’re not going anywhere”.

Haisman grabbed the complainant and took her back to his caravan where he persisted with pushing his fist into her face.

The girl was able to call her mother and some time later police found Haisman behind the wheel noting that he was “completely out of it”, swaying and with glazed eyes. He also admitted to police having cocaine on him.

Haisman, has a number of convictions against him including for domestic violence

Sentencing Haisman, Recorder Richard Stead said: “You are 26 and have a history of violence offending. You clearly have a controlling personality when it comes to relationships and I note a significant mental health component amplified by your use of alcohol. You are taking steps in custody to try and deal with substance misuse.”

Recorder Stead jailed Haisman for two years.

He was also banned from driving and a restraining order was put in place to protect the victim.