A West Australian man has been jailed for six years for a life-threatening family violence attack. Steven Ryan Benson-Lidholm, 38, had lived with the victim at various times during their near eight-year relationship, which was marred by violence, alcoholism and substance abuse. When a particularly nasty altercation erupted in October 2018, the woman tried to flee the home, but Benson-Lidholm grabbed hold of her and beat her, including repeatedly striking her head on the floor, causing her to lose consciousness. She was left with bruising virtually all over her body, bite marks and internal injuries that would have proved fatal had she not received medical attention. The woman, who is now deceased, said in her statement Benson-Lidholm appeared remorseful mid-way through the attack, but when she retreated to the bathroom half-naked and heavily bleeding in a bid to make a phone call, he exploded into a rage again. The assault continued and he uttered a threat involving bleach. Benson-Lidholm eventually called an ambulance but had a shower before paramedics arrived in an attempt to destroy evidence and was belligerent towards police. The District Court of WA heard on Thursday that he was a promising sportsman in his teens, including competing in the state basketball league, but started to go off the rails with drug experimentation, telling the pre-sentence report writer that there was not a substance he had not consumed. Benson-Lidholm, who has previously been jailed for grievous bodily harm and assaulting police, will be eligible for parole after serving four years. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Australian Associated Press