JEALOUS DOMESTIC ABUSER STRANGLED PARTNER AFTER ACCUSING HER OF CHEATING DAYS AFTER PRISON RELEASE
A domestic abuser strangled his partner in a jealous attack just days after being released from prison.Joseph Banks had been jailed for 10 months for assaulting his partner, but on the day of his release, he went straight back to her home.
He then stayed at her house for a few days before carrying out a violent attack after accusing her of cheating on him.
Banks' behaviour left the victim feeling "traumatised" and he has now been put back behind bars.
Banks appeared at Teesside Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for intentional strangulation, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and failure to surrender.
The 35-year-old had pleaded guilty to the offences.
The court heard that Banks and the woman had been in a relationship for around a year, but it had been marred by violence and was described as "toxic".
Following an assault on the woman, Banks was jailed for 10 months and was released on April 30 last year.
Despite her telling him to leave, he ended up staying for days.
On May 6, the prosecutor, Michael Cook, said: "The complainant was at home with the defendant in bed.
The defendant was under the influence of cocaine and pregabalin.
The complainant was going through her phone when the defendant saw a text message between her and a male.
This angered him and he took her phone and started looking through messages and the camera roll.
He was calling her a s*** and accusing her of cheating.
He became physically angry and grabbed her throat with one hand and was holding it.
He kicked her in the left leg and was telling her he hated her.
Banks remained at the victim's home and again attacked her in the early hours of May 7, kicking her several times.
Banks was arrested after the victim messaged her mother, who then notified police.
Banks was found hiding in the garage, later failed to surrender, and was at large for around four months.
In a victim statement, the woman said Banks had left her feeling "traumatised and fearful".
She expressed that she no longer feels safe in her own home and had been "living in constant fear".
The court was told Banks had 13 previous convictions for 24 offences, including violence, drug possession, and battery.
During proceedings, Banks expressed remorse and completed courses related to alcohol use and violence while in prison.
Recorder Kama Melly KC sentenced Banks to 26 months in prison.
