A MAN who severely injured an ex-boyfriend after conning his way into his flat has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

After hearing how it was the third time Stephen White had been convicted of attacking former partners, a judge ruled he is so dangerous that he will not be considered for release until two thirds of the way through his sentence and, at the end of his jail term, will spend a further three years on licence.

White was sentenced over a video link at Bolton Crown Court where his victim, who cannot be identified, told Recorder Fiona Ashworth how he had had to fight for his life and still feels the physical and mental effects of the ordeal on July 19 last year.

“I would find it horrifying if a complete stranger assaulted me but for it to be someone I had been in a relationship with I find even more impactful,” he said.

“My trust in people is gone.”

The victim stated he now rarely goes out and doubts he will ever enter into another relationship.

He added that he cannot find words to express the enormity of the effect the crime has had on him.

“The pain is temporary by my torment appears indefinite,” he said.

White, aged 33, of Pinfold Close, Westhoughton, had denied intentionally causing grievous bodily harm but was convicted following a trial last month.

The court had heard how White, who had split from his boyfriend more than a year earlier, had conned his way into his apartment by pretending to be his flatmate who had forgotten his keys.

Earlier, in a pub, drunken White had told his victim’s flatmate: “I am going to destroy him.”

As his former partner opened the door White immediately launched his attack, severely injuring him.

“He was like a feral animal. I was fending him off and fending him off,” the victim told the jury.

The attack only ended when the victim, fearing he was going to die, grabbed White’s neck, squeezing until he lost consciousness, and then tied him up with a dressing gown cord.

Adam Roxborough, defending, said White has written a letter to his victim.

"It is an expression of genuine remorse, shame and regret for his appalling behaviour on this particular night," he said.

"There have been a number of difficulties in Mr White's life but he doesn't seek to make these as a excuse for his behaviour."

But Recorder Ashworth was told that White has previous convictions for assaulting a partner in 2014 and just four months before the latest attack, was convicted of assaulting another former partner in a jealous rage.

"This current offence is quite clearly is an escalation of that behaviour," she told White, adding that the latest assault was pre-meditated.

"It is put forward on your behalf that you are contrite but I see that your letter is not fully remorseful and is self-serving."

Recorder Ashworth made a restraining order banning White from ever contacting his victim or going within 100 yards of his home.

Following the sentencing she praised the victim for his bravery in giving evidence at the trial.

"I don't think anybody can fail to have been impressed by the way you handled yourself and the dignity that you showed," she said.

"I hope that you will be able to put this behind you, move on with your life and I sincerely hope you don't let this define you as a person."