MAN LAUGHED AFTER STRANGLING PARTNER
A violent man described as a "coward" chuckled after strangling his partner until she passed out and accused her of "pretending".He subsequently struck her on the head with a glass vodka bottle and resumed strangulation.
Mark Wheeler, aged 48 from Cardiff, had been involved in an on-again, off-again relationship with the victim for about a year.
She labeled the relationship as "extremely toxic" due to Wheeler's violent conduct.
Despite lodging multiple complaints to the police, she had withdrawn them to preserve the relationship.
During a sentencing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, it was recounted that the first assault occurred on October 25 last year, after Wheeler had been drinking heavily and they had an argument.
He shattered a glass on the floor, and when she tried to stop him from retrieving more vodka upstairs by sitting on the stairs, he reacted violently.
Prosecutor Jason Howells explained that Wheeler immediately grabbed her around the neck with both hands and squeezed tightly for several seconds until she lost consciousness.
Later, she attempted to go to the bedroom, but Wheeler pushed her, causing her to fall.
He then strangled her again until she passed out.
When she regained consciousness, she heard Wheeler laughing and telling her to "stop pretending".
The victim described experiencing "ringing and severe pain" in her right ear.
Following the attack, Wheeler advised her to wear long sleeves and a hoodie to conceal her injuries.
The second assault occurred on October 28, when the victim returned home and found Wheeler inside, drinking, and the house locked.
Initially, he refused to open the door but eventually allowed her in.
She noticed he was intoxicated and asked him to leave, then went upstairs.
When she returned downstairs, Wheeler grabbed her arm, but she managed to break free and ran upstairs.
He chased her, insulted her by calling her "fat and ugly," and pulled her wig before hitting her in the head.
He then wrapped his hands around her neck again, causing her to scream and cry for help.
Wheeler picked up an empty vodka bottle and threatened to kill her before striking her twice on the head.
He then began crying, and although the victim tried to speak to him, he struck her again.
Police were called, and Wheeler was arrested, denying the accusations.
She was treated for bruises on her head, arm, neck, and shoulders.
Wheeler, residing on Main Road in Gwaelod-y-Garth, pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional strangulation and assault resulting in actual bodily harm.
It was noted that he has no previous convictions.
In her victim personal statement, the woman said: "I always ask myself: 'Why me?' He knew my struggles and saw my bruises from previous abuse.
He held me when I cried and promised me a better life.
I believed him and thought I'd found the one who would love, care, and support me but he took that promise away from me with his fists...
"I have been suicidal – he made me not want to get up in the morning.
I nearly lost my job as I was too scared to face people.
I spent days in bed crying thinking: 'Why did he try to kill me?' You strangled me a few times and tried to take my life.
My bruises have healed but my mental scars never will...
"I can't hate you – I don't hold any hate in my heart.
I hope you get the help you need and get better.
Heal for me please.
I will always love you – I choose to remember the good and not the bad.
That's my therapy.
I hope you think about what you've done and realise the abuse you caused was wrong." "I can’t hate you I hold no resentment.
I hope you seek help and get better.
Heal for me, please.
I will always love you, choosing to remember the good moments rather than the bad—that’s my therapy.
I hope you reflect on what you’ve done and realize that your abuse was wrong." In mitigation it was said the defendant realised the impact his actions have had on the victim.
His alcoholism was given as the reason for his offending but this was not an "excuse".
Judge Jeremy Jenkins stated: "In the judgement of this court any man who uses violence against a woman is too serious to be dealt with by anything less than a custodial sentence.
It is the ultimate act of cowardice for a man to hit a woman." Wheeler was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
