AN ATTACKER who swigged alcohol before bursting into his ex-partner's home and holding her captive has been thrown behind bars.

Dudley Stein was locked up for 14 months for his 'spontaneous' outburst, which saw him threaten to 'crush' his young son's skull with his foot.

The 24-year-old, who volunteered at Cowley Road's Refresh Cafe, has since left the three-year-old feeling anxious and his former partner unable to forgive him.

Sentencing Stein, of Windmill Road, Headington, Recorder Sarah Campbell also slapped the defendant with a restraining order and told him to pay a victim surcharge.

Oxford Crown Court heard Stein's ex-partner spotted a bottle of alcohol in the defendant's bag after he let himself into her home on December 12 last year.

He claimed he was waiting for his mother to come and pick him up when asked to leave, but remained at the house drinking the alcohol.

Stein tossed a bottle top towards his ex-girlfriend when she threatened to call police but it hit their son, who started crying.

The defendant began to swear at the youngster as he was comforted by his mother, who punched Stein in the stomach when she feared her son was in danger.

Stein threatened the pair, attacking his former partner of four years in front of their child, who exclaimed 'stop hitting mummy', the court heard.

The woman attempted to alert neighbours but Stein grabbed her, striking her again before stopping her from leaving the home.

Their son was putting his shoes on when Stein hovered his foot over the youngster's head and threatening to 'crush his skull' if the woman opened the front door.

Stein's ex-partner attempted to flee again but she was gripped by the throat, leaving her gasping for breath, the court was told.

The defendant then strolled into the kitchen, grabbing a blade and placing it into his pocket, before thrusting the woman's head down when she tried to call her mother on the phone.

Defence barrister Michael Gould said Stein, who admitted false imprisonment, had a difficult upbringing watching his stepfather beat his mother.

He was bullied at school, battles depression and has been diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder, the barrister said.

Mr Gould went on to say Stein, who has a 'hazy recollection of the frenzy', thinks about his offending every day and knows he has 'ruined' the family unit he had.

The defendant wants to address his alcohol issue, the barrister told the court on Thursday.