DRUNKEN THUG STRANGLED WIFE LEAVING HER FEARING SHE WOULD BE KILLED
Heavy drinker Lee Barr strangled his wife leaving her fearing he would kill her.The 40-year-old was drinking eight pints and vodka every day in 2024 and his relationship deteriorated.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he returned home drunk and throttled her during an argument.
Months later he punched her to her face, cutting her lip, and spat in her face.
He struggled with police officers during his arrest.
Now Barr has been jailed for 34 months.
Prosecutor Brian Williams said police responded to a 999 call on August 25 reporting the defendant hitting his wife.
Officers could hear noise coming from upstairs.
Mr Williams said: "The defendant's wife was in the kitchen.
Police went upstairs and found the defendant in the bedroom.
He was abusive towards them.
He told them to 'get the f*** out of his bedroom'.
He was arrested after a struggle." Mr Williams said the victim gave a statement.
She said on December 31, 2023 going into January 1, 2024 the defendant had been to his brother's and had been drinking.
Mr Williams said: "He came home drunk.
She told him to leave.
He did.
He returned in the early hours of January 1.
He asked her to let him in.
He tried to smash the glass panel in the door.
She decided it was easier to let him in.
An argument took place.
He became abusive.
He grabbed her by the throat with both hands.
She tried to push him off but was unable to do so.
He was pushed off and the victim had bruising to her throat.
She thought he might try to kill her." "On August 25, 2024 the defendant was in drink.
There had been arguments during the day.
It led to tension between them.
At one stage his wife left the house to calm down.
He called her and said she should not come back and accused her of being with another man." Barr went out and returned drunk.
His wife left the property and when she returned Barr hit the car window.
Mr Williams added: "He pulled her on the floor by her hair and held her down forcefully.
He punched her to her face and hit her lip, causing a cut to the inside of her mouth.
He spat in her face.
The police were called." Barr struggled with officers who were forced to use pava spray to detain him.
In a victim statement the woman said the only time she feels safe is when she is not around him.
Barr, of Church Road, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm; assault by beating; and assaulting an emergency worker.
Barry White, mitigating, said Barr had always been a hard worker and worked as a self-employed groundsman.
Mr White said: "His qualifications will expire soon.
"The relationship was a problem.
Drink was a problem.
He consumed eight pints and vodka most days.
He had that difficulty at that time.
He recognises he needs to stop drinking.
He has now been in custody for 17 months.
He is now a trusted prisoner with super-enhanced status.
I urge the court that the time he has served is sufficient." Judge Graeme Smith said: "By 2024 your life was described as a car crash, a combination of your heavy drinking and the deterioration of your relationship with your partner.
On more than one occasion you used violence against her." The judge made Barr the subject of a restraining order which prevents him contacting his victim for five years.
