An abusive McDonald's boss who claimed he “blacked out” while strangling his girlfriend in a fit of rage has avoided jail.

Samuel Maxfield's victim would cover the bruising around her throat for days out of shame and embarrassment, after his violent episode in Ramsgate.

The 38-year-old was on Friday handed a suspended prison sentence at Canterbury Crown Court for causing actual bodily harm against the woman in 2020.

She told the court how Maxfield throttled her with both hands, then instantly denied the attack.

“Sam lost his temper and that is when he pushed me to the floor and strangled me.

“We wrestled on the floor for several minutes as I tried to defend myself,” she told the court.

“When he stopped he said nothing happened and that he blacked out.”

The woman described how she concealed painful marks and bruising around her neck until they healed, because she was “too embarrassed” to reveal Maxfield's actions to friends.

Prosecutors explained the abuser admitted to police he throttled the girl following his arrest.

“He said he had his hands around her neck only for a few seconds, at some point both hands, he said it was his biggest regret and he doesn’t remember what the argument was about,” barrister Oliver Weetch said.

Maxfield, a senior manager at the fast food giant, was originally charged with controlling and coercive behaviour in a relationship, which he denied.

But he pleaded guilty earlier this year to causing actual bodily harm and using violence to secure entry following a plea bargain.

Maxfield, of previous good character, is now in a healthy 18-month relationship with a different woman with no reports of violence, his barrister Jon Barker explained.

A judge handed Maxfield, of High Street, Herne Bay, 11 months custody suspended for two years, 100 hours of unpaid work, a five-year restraining order against the victim and rehabilitation days with probation, to help address his anger issues.

“When you were interviewed you admitted you had done (the act), you said it was only for a few seconds, but it did cause harm,” Recorder Duncan Atkinson QC said.

“You must appreciate how dangerous applying pressure to someone’s throat in that way could be.

“This is your one and only chance to sort yourself out, if you breach this order in any way you will be going to prison.”

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