The woman had to pretend to have lost consciousness after Murray put an arm across her throat and pushed down hard.

That, police told Albury Local Court, left the woman struggling to breathe. Earlier, their friends decided to leave when the pair began to argue.

Murray, who now lives in South Albury, pleaded guilty this week to domestic violence-related assault and destroy or damage property.

Defence solicitor Bronte Winn said Murray, who had not committed an offence for nine years, had begun to address both his mental health and alcohol-related issues.

She said his offending was aggravated by it taking place in the victim’s home, but his early guilty plea was an indication of remorse.

Magistrate Rodney Brender said a pre-sentence report on Murray outlined how he was a hard-working, family-orientated man.

“(But) intoxication like this is no defence. I see you have no recollection of this at all because of your state of intoxication.”

Murray, 37, and the victim, 36, had been in an on-off relationship for two years at the time of the offence, which took place on June 9.

Police said the victim had about 10 beers during the winery tour, from which they returned to her home around 6.30pm. The woman said Murray had been in “a foul mood”.

When she confronted him about this, they had a heated argument in front of their friends. Murray went outside to calm down.

He was outside only briefly, but long enough to force a front gate and back door off the hinges before returning inside and asking her for keys to her car parked out front.

On his return, he assaulted the victim.

“The accused then picked the victim up by her clothing, to a standing position, and the accused began to yell incoherently,” police said.

Murray was put on a 12-month bond and ordered to do 50 hours of unpaid community work.