Stephen Taylor, 49, of Thomson Street, Terang, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to unlawful assault.

During the plea hearing, Taylor said he did not clench his fist or punch his partner and the incident had been blown out of all proportion.

When given the option of contesting the charge, Taylor declined the offer, therefore accepting the police prosecution version of events.

Magistrate Alan Spillane said it was clear there had been significant physicality during what must, on any version, been an extremely frightening experience.

"It's absolutely intolerable behaviour which culminated in this incident," he said, noting that although Taylor had prior court appearances they were not for assault.

Police said that Taylor and the victim had been in an on-off relationship until May 2015 when they moved in together.

The woman said Taylor was a big drinker and in the lead-up to their separation in February this year that his drinking increased.

She said if he bought a slab of beer he would drink it.

The woman said when he had been drinking, Taylor was abusive, calling her names and belittling her.

In early February they went away for the weekend but she came home early because of his behaviour.

After spending time away, the woman returned to the home hoping issues could be resolved.

On February 17 she slept in a spare room and Taylor was ignoring her the next day.

He was drinking out in his shed and came into the spare room and threatened to kill her for "back-stabbing him".

He jabbed an elbow and a fist towards her, threatened to kill her a couple of more times and then punched her with a right clenched fist to the mouth.

Taylor then grabbed her, pushed her down and struck her under the chin.

The woman was frightened she would be seriously injured, kicked out at Taylor's groin and grabbed his hoodie.

Taylor complained when his hoodie started to rip, saying it was his favourite hoodie.

The woman fled from the property and told a friend what had happened before reporting the incident to police.

She missed a week of work and an intervention order was put in place through court.

When interviewed Taylor denied all allegations, saying “she tells lies".