A drunken man who acted “aggressively” toward his partner at a party later grabbed her around the throat.

Mark Lockwood and his now former partner had been at the Parkwood Social Club in Rainham when he was seen by other guests “gritting his teeth” as he had a go at her.

The woman, who had moved in with 38-year-old Lockwood just months before, then left the party and drove to their home in the town.

Lockwood walked home later but couldn’t get in as he didn’t have a key. When the woman opened the front door for him he grabbed her around the throat.

The incident was reported to the police and Lockwood, of Silverspot Close, Rainham, was charged with assault by beating and had denied the allegation when he appeared in court in June last year.

However, after a trial in January, Lockwood was found guilty of the offence.

He returned to Medway Magistrates’ Court on March 27 to learn his fate.

Lucie Fish, prosecuting, said: “They first met 10 years ago and then she got a call out of the blue during the pandemic.

“On October 27, 2023, they went to a party at the Parkwood Social Club and there was some tension.

“He was seen having a go at her and was gritting his teeth (at her) and witnesses said his aggression was obvious.”

Magistrates heard the pair returned home separately.

The prosecutor added: “She wanted him to calm down before she opened the door, but when she did, he ran straight in and grabbed her round the throat.”

As a result of the incident the woman moved out of his home and their relationship ended.

A victim impact statement was also read out to the court which said the woman had suffered stress and trauma because she’d been attacked and that she had been scared. As a result of the incident she now has depression and anxiety.

She also said the incident had played on her mind so much she made mistakes at work and she later had to get further help from her doctor for PTSD as she couldn’t move on from the trauma.

Magistrates also heard Lockwood had admitted he had been intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Ms Fish added: “I am also asking for a restraining order, he refused to accept responsibility (by pleading not guilty).”

The court heard Lockwood was of previous good character and had found the whole court experience distressing and difficult but that his actions that night were out of character and that he was sorry for them.

Magistrates were also given references to read and hear on behalf of Lockwood. One from a former partner said there had been no real arguments in their relationship and that there had never been any violence.

The bench decided to place Lockwood on a 12-month community order with one requirement that he complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £650 court costs and a victim surcharge of £114 and was banned from contacting the woman for three years via a restraining order.

Lockwood said he would pay what he owes the court at a rate of £150 a month.