TORQUAY MAN JAILED AFTER STRANGLING GIRLFRIEND WITH JUJITSU CHOKE HOLD
A woman was subjected to a severe assault by her violent boyfriend, Conan Simmons, who threw a PlayStation controller at her and then proceeded to strangle her with a choke hold learned from jujitsu.The incident occurred at their home on February 25, after Simmons became angry because she was unwell.
During the altercation, Simmons grabbed her in a headlock and began to squeeze, causing her to lose consciousness and wake up gasping for air on the floor.
The victim described the experience as feeling like a cork popping out of a bottle of Champagne and said she truly believed she was going to die.
The court heard that Simmons admitted to putting her in a choke hold after she refused to leave the property and tried to scratch him, claiming he was attempting to calm her down without knowing she might have lost consciousness.
Simmons, 33, of Thurlow Road in Torquay, pleaded guilty to one charge of strangulation at Exeter Crown Court and was sentenced to 16 months in jail.
The judge also imposed a 30-month restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.
Despite having no prior relevant convictions, the court highlighted the seriousness of strangulation, noting it can easily lead to death, and indicated that Simmons still partially blamed the victim.
The court was told their relationship since 2023 was tumultuous, characterized by both friendly moments and verbal abuse.
