MAN STRANGLED PREGNANT PARTNER TO POINT SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO DIE
A man with a prior record of domestic violence offenses subjected his pregnant partner to a severe choking attack, leaving her fearing for her life.Harley Mathews, from Llantwit Major, assaulted his ex-partner on July 3 after suspecting infidelity, a court hearing at Cardiff Crown Court was told on Wednesday.
The court was informed that the prosecution had no proof of any cheating by the woman, and Mathews's suspicion was solely based on the amount of time she spent on her phone, according to prosecutor Pamela Kaiga.
Ms.
Kaiga explained that the 26-year-old defendant, who appeared via video link from HMP Cardiff where he was detained, shouted at his partner, accused her of lying, and ordered her to go to the bedroom.
He then pushed her in the chest, causing her to fall backwards.
According to the prosecutor, the woman begged Mathews to stop, insisting she was truthful, before he began to choke her.
She told police she could not breathe and thought she might pass away.
On July 5, two days after the assault, the woman, having been out, was ordered by Mathews to return home.
Fearing further violence, she blocked him and stayed with her grandmother, knowing he didn't know her grandmother’s address.
She then called the police.
Initially, Mathews denied the incident, claiming they only argued, but after being charged, he pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation during his first court appearance.
The woman, in a statement read to the court, expressed her fears, saying: “I feared for my life.
I thought I was going to die.
I was carrying his child at the time.
It’s absolutely sickening.” The court was told Mathews, of Llanmaes Road, had six prior convictions for 13 offenses, including battery, actual bodily harm, and affray, some occurring within domestic environments.
Representing Mathews, Hashim Salmman highlighted his client’s early guilty plea and noted his relatively young age.
He also mentioned that Mathews had experienced an abusive childhood, including domestic violence, and that he had struggled with alcohol since 2023 and was diagnosed with ADHD.
“Mathews has used his time in custody constructively,” Mr.
Salmman added.
“He has been appointed a peer and received enhanced status.” Judge Eugene Egan addressed Mathews directly, condemning his actions: “What sort of man does that to their partner?
It is abysmal, disgraceful, and shameful.
“You were a bully and a coward for what you did and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
A real man does not act that way with his partner.” The judge sentenced Mathews to 18 months in prison with immediate effect and issued a five-year restraining order to prevent him from approaching the victim, except to facilitate childcare through a third party.
