EX-SOLDIER SPARED JAIL AFTER STRANGLING PARTNER IN ALCOHOL-FUELED RAGE
Former soldier Jamie Wheeler, aged 43, has been involved in a distressing incident where he strangled his partner in her home.Wheeler, who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder after serving in the frontlines, woke his partner by urinating on the bedroom floor.
According to reports, she sent him to the bathroom, and upon his return, he accidentally smashed a lamp which caused a cut to his hand.
He then blamed her, grabbed her around the neck, and applied pressure for about four seconds.
She felt she was going to pass out and sustained reddening and scratch marks to her neck.
The incident prompted police to arrive, and Wheeler was found shouting at the front door and subsequently arrested.
During court proceedings at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Wheeler pleaded guilty to the charge of strangulation.
His lawyer, Anis Ali, explained that he is a former fitness instructor working as a driver who has now stopped using cocaine, is addressing excessive alcohol use, and has undergone therapy.
Wheeler's relationship with the victim has ended, and he has returned to his previous partner.
The court noted Wheeler's lack of recent offending for 18 years and acknowledged his remorse and insight into his actions.
Prosecutor Dylan Wagg revealed that Wheeler and the victim were involved in a relationship which was an affair ongoing for seven months.
On the night of August 7, Wheeler had consumed a significant amount of alcohol.
It was reported that at 2 am, he woke his partner by urinating on the bedroom floor; she told him to go to the bathroom.
When he returned, he accidentally smashed a lamp, resulting in a cut on his hand and causing him to blame her.
Subsequently, Wheeler grabbed her around the neck and applied pressure for four seconds before police arrived, with Wheeler shouting at the front door and being arrested.
Wheeler, who has no fixed address, admitted to the crime, and the court considered his mental health issues stemming from his military service, specifically PTSD.
The judge sentenced him to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Wheeler was also ordered to complete a Building Better Relationships programme, a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring programme, a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and perform 250 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £250 in costs.
The court emphasized that intentional strangulation is considered highly serious, but took into account Wheeler’s remorse, support system, and ongoing treatment, leading to the suspended sentence.
