A Swindon man held a woman’s head under the water after she refused to engage in coitus with him – and claimed to be dating another man.
Steven Lamb attacked the victim at a local Travelodge on 27 March, resulting in his arrest and charges for intentional strangulation and assault by beating.
The 41-year-old, of Beech Avenue in Pinehurst, pleaded guilty to both offences at Swindon Magistrates Court on 6 April and returned for sentencing on 6 May.
But the justices decided that the case was too serious for the lower court, and sent it to Swindon Crown Court – where Lamb could face immediate custody.
The defendant told explained that he was drunk at the time of the incident, and couldn’t remember much.
In her statement, the victim described how Lamb has grabbed her by the neck and held her head under water in a bath – causing her to cough when she came up for air.
He also threw her mobile phone at her head, causing an injury just below her eye.
Lamb was released on bail with conditions not to contact the woman directly or indirectly, and to observe overnight curfew which is monitored by a GPS tag.
He will return for sentencing at Swindon Crown Court on 5 June.
