A drunken boyfriend has been ordered to tackle his drink problem and go on an anti-domestic violence programme after being filmed attacking his partner on CCTV.

Drew Aedo-Smith was visiting the teenage girl at supported accommodation where she lived in Exmouth when he threatened her with a kitchen knife and grabbed her throat.

The incident was in a public area at the accommodation and the violence was caught on CCTV which showed the victim looking terrified as she left the building.

Aedo-Smith, aged 21, of Scotch Mead, Aylesbeare, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and possession of a bladed article and was jailed for ten months, suspended for two years by Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court.

He imposed a six months alcohol treatment requirement and ordered him to do 15 days of rehabilitation requirements and a 31 session Building Better Relationships programme and banned him from a large area of Exmouth with a GPS tag.

He told him: “The CCTV footage from the supported accommodation showed you committing the offences and threatening her with an offensive weapon, namely a sharply pointed knife.

“The behaviour was noticed by staff resulted in the police being called and the victim appeared to have sustained bruises and cuts to her neck. It is clear from the footage she was frightened by the way you assaulted and threatened her.”

Miss Pip Harper, prosecuting, said the incident happened on October 23 this year when Aedo-Smith was under the influence of drink but the victim has not requested a restraining order to prevent further contact.

Mr William Parkhill, defending, said his client had spent almost a month in custody since his arrest and has realised the seriousness of what he did. He is remorseful and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He now accepts that his alcohol consumption has become a problem and that he needs help to stay off drink after being forcibly abstinent while in prison.