POLICE OFFICER JAMES RILEY JAILED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER BRUTAL ATTACK ON EX-GIRLFRIEND
A former police officer named James Riley has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for attempting to murder his ex-girlfriend, Ellie Moxham.Riley, 28, launched a brutal attack on her after discovering she was planning to start a relationship with another man.
He strangled Ellie, a PhD student, leaving her unconscious in a Manchester hotel room on 10 November 2022.
The attack was so severe that she was placed into an induced coma; she woke the next day but continues to suffer from cognitive difficulties and anxiety.
During the court proceedings, Judge Patrick Field described Riley's behavior as driven by "uncontrollable anger and a jealous rage".
He stated, "It is clear that she had no intention of reconciling with you.
She was intent on forming a new relationship with another man.
As a result, you became consumed by uncontrollable anger and a jealous rage, and you attacked her with murderous intent." Riley, who was off-duty at the time, was dismissed from Lancashire Police last year, having been a police officer during the incident.
The court revealed that Riley gripped her throat with such force over a significant period that her brain was starved of oxygen.
After realizing her injuries were critical, Riley initially called his parents and expressed that he had "killed Ellie" and wanted to die, before calling an ambulance.
CCTV footage captured him fleeing the scene through a fire escape.
Riley had previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder, changing his plea just a week before trial.
The court also highlighted the lasting impact on Ellie, who suffers from fatigue, memory problems, headaches, and nightmares.
She described Riley's conduct as having destroyed her self-esteem, pointing out that he made derogatory comments and accused her of being inferior.
Riley's lawyer expressed remorse during sentencing, and Riley himself issued a public apology, including a restraining order that prevents him from contacting Ellie or approaching within 50 meters of her.
