An ex-sailor who behaved in a bizarre and unpredictable way to his terrified girlfriend after a heavy drinking session has been jailed for 16 months.

Max Barr, who had been discharged from the Royal Navy on health grounds, grabbed Victoria Taylor around the throat, bit her on the shoulder, threw her dog across the room and tried to cut his genitals.

The 23-year-old, of Colts Hill, Five Oak Lane, Tonbridge, admitted affray.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the couple had been in a relationship for about 17 months. It was on and off and there were difficulties stemming from his drinking.

John Fitzgerald, prosecuting, said on March 26 this year Barr decided to go out drinking with a soldier friend and agreed he would not return home that evening.

But Miss Taylor heard shouting in the early hours and looked out of the window to see Barr. When she let him in he was hyperactive.

Miss Taylor, whose two children aged 11 and seven were in bed, tried to get Barr to go to sleep, but he picked an argument with her about her ex-boyfriend.

"Violent and unpredictable behaviour began," said Mr Fitzgerald.

"He picked up a knife with a serrated edge and held it against his throat. He drew it across, making his throat bleed.

"She tried to take it off him but was forced backwards. He threw glasses at her. He picked up to knives and went towards her with a sweeping motion. He caused her a slight laceration.

"i am not raoul moat, i don't have a shotgun. you won't lose your eyes, but you might lose something else."
" – ex-sailor max barr

"He bit her on the left shoulder blade. She describes him sinking his teeth in, leaving her bruised. He held her around the throat.

"He then turned his attention to her King Charles Spaniel. He picked it up and threw it across the room. Miss Taylor had dialled 999.

"The police operator could hear she was hysterical. She was pleading: 'Please don't.'

"His behaviour become even more bizarre, directed at himself," said the prosecutor.

"He picked up a piece of glass. He was in his boxer shorts. He tried to cut his genitals. It made her feel sick."

Miss Taylor managed to run out of the house, leaving her children upstairs. Police officers arrived and saw Barr at the window holding a knife against his head.

He shouted: "Go away, I am going to stab myself. I am not Raoul Moat, I don't have a shotgun. You won't lose your eyes, but you might lose something else."

An officer used his Taser to subdue Barr. He dropped to the floor and was arrested. Because he claimed he had taken 100 tablets, he was taken to hospital.