MAN JAILED FOR STRANGLING AND PUNCHING EX-PARTNER
John Gallagher, aged 50, received a nine-month prison sentence following a hearing at Reading Crown Court on Monday, July 31, after being convicted of assaulting his former partner in 2021.The court was told that the assault took place in Reading on May 31, during the final stages of the couple’s eight-year relationship.
Judge Emma Nott summarised the case, stating: “It was a concerning incident during the course of the night.
It happened when you were very drunk and it was a sustained incident of strangulation.
“It coincided with the end of your eight-year relationship with your victim – an ending that you hadn’t come to terms with.
“You had your hand around her throat for a significant period of time.
You punched in her in the head several times.
“She was screaming at you to get off.
You were screaming at her ‘if you cant have her, no one would’, and while you were strangling her she was terrified that that was it and she was going to die.
“Your neighbour heard some of it going on, he heard a guttural sound that upset him at the time.” The judge explained that the victim managed to leave the bedroom and seek refuge in a spare room, but Gallagher followed her and continued to strangle her.
Later, she hid in a bathroom overnight, while Gallagher went to sleep.
When she tried to leave, she discovered a kitchen chair had been placed against the door handle in an attempt to trap her, which was unsuccessful.
Concluding, Judge Nott said: "This was a very serious incident indeed.” Gallagher was arrested and charged with assault causing actual bodily harm.
A victim impact statement revealed that the victim expressed fears about trusting another man, especially after a long-term relationship concluded.
His barrister stated that Gallagher is actively working on reducing his alcohol intake and does not object to a restraining order that includes her address.
Before sentencing, the judge noted that a pre-sentence report indicated Gallagher showed no remorse for his actions.
Gallagher, of Kennet Walk in Reading, was sentenced to nine months in prison, with half of that time to be served before release on licence.
