COUNCILLOR ASHLEY FARRALL DENIES STRANGLING HIS PARTNER IN COURT
A councillor from Wythenshawe is accused of strangling his partner has told a court it was she who attacked him, stating she 'snapped and had gone for me'.Ashley Farrall, 43, who represents Macclesfield Central on Cheshire East Council, is on trial at Chester Crown Court on charges of strangulation and attempting to pervert the course of justice, both of which he denies.
His partner alleges that Farrall pushed her against a banister, grabbing her neck with one hand.
During proceedings, Farrall claimed, 'She lunged at me...
threw a glass at me...
and punched me in the face', and also described the incident as influenced by her mental health issues stemming from a difficult childbirth.
Farrall stated his partner had been diagnosed with PTSD and depression and was at 'high risk' of post-natal psychosis, with her beginning to self-medicate with alcohol to sleep.
In court, Farrall described the incident, where he said his partner 'started saying the names of my ex-partners' and 'she lunged at me in the face, bearing her teeth'.
He alleged she then said 'you're strangling me', although he claimed he was not physically touching her at that moment and wondered if she meant it metaphorically.
Farrall said he told her he would call the police, but she called them first, leading to his arrest.
His bail conditions prevented contact with her, though they still met.
He denied pressuring her to change her statement and described her behaviour as gas-lighting and blackmail, insisting he maintains his innocence.
The court continues to hear the case.
