A HAMPSHIRE police officer has today been jailed for four months after attacking his ex-wife with the strap of her own handbag.

Duncan Warry, an officer with more than 29 years experience, burst into the house in Portchester, where his former wife Joanne was staying following their recent divorce.

He ignored her demand to leave, grabbed her, forced her face down to the floor and knelt on her back to pin her down.

The officer put his hands around her throat and began throttling her. As she struggled, she felt a leather strap being put around her neck and pulled tight.

She later found that it was the strap of her handbag that was lying nearby.

Prosecuting, Esther Schutzer-Weissmann told Guildford Crown Court that it was only the thought of their children, two boys aged 12 and five, coming home from school and finding her dead that gave her the strength to fight her ex-husband off.

Warry, 47, who serves as a sergeant in Hayling Island, pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court to one charge of actual bodily harm.

Detective Inspector Victoria Dennis, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "Hampshire Constabulary takes incidents of this nature extremely seriously.

"I welcome the conviction which follows a thorough investigation by Hampshire Constabulary.

"Our thoughts are with the victim and the family at this time."

Warry will remain suspended from Hampshire Constabulary until an internal misconduct investigation takes place to determine his future position within the force.