TORQUAY EX JAILED FOR STRANGLING WOMAN DURING ROW
A man from Torquay has been sentenced to prison after physically assaulting his former partner during a dispute at her residence.Just before he placed his hands around her neck, Andrew Coomber was described by the court as having "a look in his eyes." He carried out a lengthy attack, resulting in a black eye and bruising for the victim.
The assault left her "completely devastated." Coomber, 37 years old and residing on Walnut Road, pleaded guilty to charges of intentional strangulation, common assault causing injury, and possession of cannabis at Exeter Crown Court.
The judge handed him a sentence of 16 months in prison.
The incident occurred on December 9, following an argument over text messages.
Coomber went to her address on Hele Road, where the altercation escalated into violence.
Judge James Adkin stated: "You seized her by the throat and strangled her, restricting her airflow.
You then dragged her into the living room and continued the assault.
You struck her twice in the face, causing a black eye." The violence also included Coomber throwing the woman to the ground twice and grabbing her leg.
She told him she couldn't breathe and urgently made her way to the toilet, where she noticed she was bleeding.
After threatening to call the police, Coomber took her phone and left the scene.
He was arrested the following day, during which he told officers he had merely “given her a tap” and pushed her, claiming she hurt her head when he pushed her against a wall.
Defence solicitor Martin Salloway noted that Coomber suffers from undiagnosed mental health issues and was deeply remorseful about his actions.
Judge Adkin emphasized the seriousness with which domestic strangulation offenses are regarded under the law: "The evidence indicates that individuals who strangulate often go on to commit murder," he said.
He also mentioned that a probation report classified Coomber as posing a medium risk of causing serious harm to partners.
Addressing his anger management issues, the judge considered whether a suspended sentence would be appropriate but concluded that, given the nature of the sustained domestic abuse involving strangulation, immediate custody was necessary.
