LEE NORTROP

A man who journeyed 200 miles from Norfolk to Teesside in pursuit of an online date physically assaulted her by grabbing her neck and strangling her.

Lee Nortrop, aged 46, also punched the woman in the face while they were lying in bed on January 3.

The woman later recounted that Nortrop ‘just flipped’ during a conversation about ex-partners in her bedroom.

After strangling her, the court heard he threw her to the floor.

The victim contacted police while on the floor, telling officers that Nortrop ‘has beaten the s*** out of me’.

On the same day, another woman familiar with the victim entered her house during a phone call and heard Nortrop calling the woman ‘a stupid b****’ and claiming: ‘It wasn’t my fault, she asked for it.’ Police officers arrived and arrested Nortrop.

The victim said in a statement read to the court that she initially got along well with him online and had arranged for him to visit her last year because she wanted some company.

She explained that during a discussion about former partners, Nortrop suddenly ‘flipped’.

Prosecutor Jordan Parkinson pointed out that Nortrop has a history of violence against ex-partners and multiple battery convictions.

He pleaded guilty to charges of intentional strangulation and assault causing actual bodily harm at an earlier court hearing.

Defense lawyer Andrew Turton argued that Nortrop is a ‘lonely, isolated individual’ who was upset after losing a job he enjoyed and was skilled at.

He added that this led to alcohol abuse and violence.

The court learned that post-release, Nortrop, from Estuary Close in King’s Lynn, would be homeless with limited family support.

Judge Aysha Smart stated that Nortrop had attempted to blame the victim for his assault before sentencing him to 21 months in prison.