A burly Dover man broke down and wept in the dock as details of his attack on an ex-lover was described in court.

As well-built Arron Stanley was being given a three-and-a-half year jail term for the assault, he started sobbing.

But Judge James O’Mahony told the 38-year-old: “Your remorse is far too late, Mr Stanley!”

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court had convicted Stanley, of Shooters Hill, Dover of assault on his former lover.

She had told how in March last year he had put a steak knife with a four-inch blade next to her face before snarling: “I could end you now!”

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said the victim “genuinely feared that she was going to die”.

She said that after the assault, that took place in her own home after an argument broke out, she ran to the bathroom for protection.

Stanley shouted: “You ain’t going nowhere” before grabbing her hair and pulling her back.

“She then told how Stanley either kicked or shoulder-barged the bathroom door and it hit her in her face causing a small cut.

“He then stood over her as she put her hand to her face before she felt a number of blows to the side of her face.

“She was screaming which was heard by a neighbour. Later Stanley climbed on top of her while holding the steak knife just two inches from her neck.

“She closed her eyes as he told her: “I could end you now!”

Stanley, who has previous convictions for robbery, assault and affray, claimed at his trial that some of the injuries were caused by their dog attacking her in her living room – but the judge dismissed that “as nonsense”.

After the hearing, PC Colin Glover said: "I hope this sentence sends a strong message to perpetrators that domestic abuse will not be tolerated.

"Victims should never suffer in silence and we encourage them to report offences. They may be feeling frightened, isolated and ashamed but they are not to blame for what is happening.

"Putting the victim at the heart of everything we do means we take into account their wishes and we have a range of services available through partner agencies to help keep victims of domestic abuse safe."