Daryl Keith McEvoy, 47, was sentenced in the Supreme Court on Monday after he pleaded guilty to the 2017 attempted murder.

In sentencing, Justice Sam Doyle said the couple were walking along a street at Port Pirie when McEvoy's partner told him she wanted to end the relationship.

McEvoy became enraged and forced the woman to the ground, grabbed her by the neck and tried to strangle her.

He told her "if I can't have you no one will" and wrapped his legs around her neck, squeezing them together until she lost consciousness.

McEvoy was arrested and later told police he was trying to snap his partner's neck, but that it would not break.

Justice Doyle said a breath test revealed McEvoy had drunk a "significant amount of alcohol" on the night, but that does not excuse his conduct.

"Domestic violence of a nature perpetrated by you simply cannot be tolerated by our community," he said.

He said the victim did not sustain any lasting physical injuries, but the trauma of the attack has left her with ongoing psychological impacts.

Justice Doyle sentenced McEvoy to nine years, 11 months in prison, with a non-parole period of eight years.

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Australian Associated Press