A SOUTHAMPTON woman thought she was going to die when her former partner held her at knifepoint and threatened to “slice her up”.

Chelsea Donovan, 32, said she was left “terrified” and “couldn’t leave the house” after her ex, Jamie Halley attacked her in her own home.

A court heard how after spotting a dating app on her phone, 32-year-old Halley grabbed a knife from the kitchen and pinned Chelsea down by her throat.

He then told her he was going to kill her, asking if she had “any last words” until she was able to kick him off and escape.

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She told the Echo: “I thought I was going to die. I thought my mum was going to be burying me.

“He literally wanted to gut me like I was an animal. I was terrified.

“I couldn’t leave my house. I couldn’t sleep, I have night terrors.

“I’ll never forget it.”

Halley was arrested after the incident and pleaded guilty on the day of trial to making threats to kill and strangulation.

Appearing in court on Tuesday, he was jailed for four years and eight months with an extended licence period of five years.

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He was also made the subject of a restraining order for the next 10 years.

Speaking after the sentencing, Chelsea said: “I think it’s very fair and just proves how dangerous he is to the community and women.

“I think that all women should come forward and see it through because you do get an outcome like this and he is going to learn his lesson for what he has done.

“I thought we were soulmates. You think it would never happen to me but when it happens it’s the scariest thing. Just stay strong and see it through.

“I’ve had to come to court three times. It was all worth it to get the sentence that he got today.”

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Halley, of Cuckmere Lane, Southampton has 13 previous convictions for 19 offences.

Mitigating, Berenice Mulvanny told the court he has “struggled to accept” the incident having witnessed domestic abuse as a child.

Chelsea added, however: “I was expecting a sorry. It’s like he doesn’t even want to believe he’s done it.

“This is the only time he’s going to sit and think about it.

“This whole year, he hasn’t thought about it, he’s been swanning around doing what he wants. Now this is time for him to sit and reflect on it.

“He’s not sorry, but I forgive him anyway, I’m moving on with my life.”