LEE DUFFY

STANLEY MAN GUILTY OF STRANGLING GIRLFRIEND OVER MONOPOLY

A man identified as Lee Duffy, 35, from Middles Road, Stanley, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court after being involved in an incident where he strangled his girlfriend.

The court heard that Duffy strangled his partner by grabbing her by the throat until she couldn't breathe during a dispute.

Additionally, ten days earlier, he had assaulted her by grabbing her by the throat again and punching her, resulting in bruising.

The incident on June 27 involved Duffy being in an alcohol-influenced state, where he initially threw her onto the sofa after she wanted to go to bed, then throttled her with his right hand.

The victim described feeling that she would never be the same and expressed ongoing psychological distress.

On July 7, during another argument over the game Monopoly, Duffy again grabbed her by the throat, causing her to be strangled.

He also damaged his mobile phone and attempted to damage her phone when she tried to call 999.

Duffy pleaded guilty to multiple charges of assault by beating and criminal damage.

The court sentenced him to a 24-month community order, with 100 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay £300 court costs, a £95 victim surcharge, and £270.99 in compensation.

Additionally, a 12-month restraining order was imposed.