PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pikeville man was arrested after a woman was able to call a friend to report he was strangling her.

Pikeville Police received a report from a woman who said that her friend had called her, crying and screaming for help, and managed to say, “He’s choking me,” and “Help me,” before the line went dead.

Police found the victim at a friend’s house and saw she had red handprints around her neck. She told officers that her live-in boyfriend, identified as Clinton Cook, 45, was drunk and that he got mad and attacked her. She said that he grabbed her by the throat and pinned her against a wall, cutting off her air. She was able to get away and call for help.

Officers then went to Cook’s home but could get no answer at the door, despite seeing lights and hearing noises inside. Police finally made their way inside, where they found Cook.

He was arrested on a felony charge of strangulation, which is punishable by 5-to-10 years in prison.