STANLEY MAN JAILED FOR TWICE STRANGLING WIFE AMID ALCOHOL-FUELED RAGE
A man who twice strangled his wife as he grew increasingly frustrated with her health issues has been locked up.Jonathan Dawson, aged 65, turned to alcohol to try and ease his daily problems but it only worsened his situation, as reported to Teesside Crown Court.
Dawson assaulted his wife on two occasions in the months before March 2024, when he grabbed her from behind and choked her, causing her to cough and sputter.
He was arrested, released on bail, and ordered to stay away from her, but he strangled her again in March this year.
The court heard how Dawson’s wife gave a victim impact statement describing the impact his aggressive behavior had on her, including an attempt on her own life.
She expressed fear of his release and explained she spends every day looking over her shoulder, expecting him to return, stating: “At the time I was so scared about what happened and what would happen when he got out.
Since then, I have spent every day looking over my shoulder and expecting him to be there.
I expect him to turn up, I love him, but there is no way I can have him back.” Dawson, of South Fields, Stanley, was found guilty of two charges of intentional strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage following a trial.
Judge Tom Mitchell sentenced Dawson to two years and six months for all offences, noting he had no prior convictions or cautions until he became frustrated in old age, leading to physical abuse of his wife.
Dawson was also made subject of a three-year restraining order to protect his victim.
