MAN JAILED FOR STRANGLING WOMAN AFTER NIGHT OUT
A 19-year-old man is currently in custody following an assault on his partner that involved choking and punching, which left her fearing for her life after he had been drinking heavily during a night out.Cameron Deegan's actions were described as a 'gross overreaction' by the court after he strangled his partner following her remark about him kicking a laundry basket at their Welshpool home on December 13.
The woman escaped the assault, which involved being pushed against a television and wall, punched three times, and pulled around by Deegan, and she sought help from a bystander.
On Wednesday, January 15, a judge at Caernarfon Crown Court sentenced Deegan to 16 months in a young offenders' institution.
The judge, Timothy Petts, articulated that immediate custody was necessary due to the high risk Deegan posed, his poor adherence to court orders, and his lack of motivation to change.
Prosecutor Thomas McLoughlin reported that this was the first instance of violence in the relationship, and that Deegan's conduct generally improved but worsened under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The court was told that at around midday on December 13, Deegan became angry and strangled his partner after she reacted with 'Christ sake' when he kicked over a laundry basket.
The victim stated in court that she felt she was about to die during the incident.
After initially displaying aggression towards officers, Deegan was arrested and subsequently calmed down.
His defense attorney, Mr Edwards, said Deegan had no memory of the event, linking his actions to excessive drinking while mourning the recent loss of his grandmother.
He also highlighted that Deegan accepted responsibility for his actions, evidenced by his early guilty plea, and had been making efforts to address his substance abuse issues, including work commitments in Liverpool and becoming a father.
The judge noted Deegan’s heavy drinking as a coping mechanism following his grandmother's death, which was a factor in his actions.
Concern was also raised about Deegan’s criminal record, which includes multiple offences, and he was on a community order at the time of the assault.
He was told to serve half of his 16-month sentence in a youth detention center before being eligible for release under supervision.
