A mentally ill man strangled his girlfriend after his pleas for help fell on deaf ears.

Timothy Bierton, 48, denied murdering Julie-Ann Wendel, 37, but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

He was jailed for four years at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard how Bierton was designated as Miss Wendel's carer despite protestations he could not cope due to his own mental health problems.

He had previously been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

He asked for help in looking after mother-of-one Miss Wendel, whom he lived with at Netherfield, near Battle.

In June last year, Bierton asked for a social worker and requested Miss Wendel attend a day centre to give him some time off.

Philip Katz QC, prosecuting, said these requests were turned down and instead Miss Wendel's medication was increased.

Bierton said he had "dark thoughts" and had placed his hands around Miss Wendel's neck on occasions.

Joanna Glynn QC, defending, said on June 17 Bierton went to the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, asking to be admitted because he could not cope.

After a meeting with a doctor, a pyschiatric appointment was made for Bierton on July 3.

On June 21, three weeks after asking for help, Bierton, claiming he was hearing voices, strangled Miss Wendel in her bedroom.

In a 999 call minutes afterwards, he said: "I've had enough. I asked for help, I pleaded for help. I couldn't find any other way out. I said sorry to her while I was doing it."

Bierton received a four-year jail term with three years extended supervision.