MAN WHO TRIED TO STRANGLE PARTNER JAILED
A 47-YEAR-OLD man who attempted to strangle his partner at her Galashiels home has been jailed for 21 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court.Christopher Garrard pleaded guilty to charges of threatening or abusive behaviour and assault to injury at a house in the town on Friday, December 5.
The court was told the couple had been in a relationship for six years but lived separately.
On the day of the offences, the woman received messages from Garrard which were meant for someone else.
She confronted him about it when he came home, leading to him punching doors.
The prosecutor said Garrard was under the influence of alcohol and when he woke up, he found his partner going through his phone and asked what was going on.
Garrard then began throwing items and shadow boxing in front of her.
She managed to capture part of the incident on her mobile phone when Garrard grabbed her by the neck with both hands and pinned her to the bed.
The police were called and Garrard told officers “it was just an argument”.
Officers noted she had redness to her neck and chest.
The defence lawyer said the injuries were minor and the incident involving the neck only lasted one second but accepted it was a dangerous thing to do.
Sheriff Robert Fife told Garrard he had “an extensive record”.
The 21-month prison sentence was backdated to December 8 when Garrard was first remanded in custody.
A 30-month non-harassment order was also made banning him from contacting his victim.
