MICHAEL COSGROVE FROM NORTH WEST FOUND GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER BRUTAL STRANGULATION IN HEALD GREEN

A man identified as Michael Cosgrove, aged 45, has been convicted of attempted murder following a violent assault that involved strangulation, which resulted in severe injuries to his ex-girlfriend. The incident took place in Heald Green, within the North West region, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details of the attack that occurred on August 25 last year.

According to court records, Cosgrove and his former partner had been in a relationship for approximately one year. Tensions escalated after the woman discovered that Cosgrove was communicating with other women through a dating app. This discovery led to a confrontation at her home in Heald Green, where the couple’s argument intensified. During the dispute, the woman expressed her desire to end the relationship, prompting Cosgrove to react violently.

As she attempted to leave, Cosgrove allegedly pushed her back onto the bed. The court heard that he then pinned her down with his hands around her neck, refusing to let her go despite her protests. Prosecutor Alaric Bassano described the scene, stating, “She told him the relationship was over, whereupon he pinned her down on the bed, with his hands around her neck, telling her: ‘It isn’t over’.”

The woman struggled to breathe and fought back, clawing at Cosgrove’s hands in an effort to free herself. Eventually, he released his grip, and she sat on the bed, hyperventilating and vomiting from the ordeal. During the attack, Cosgrove allegedly made repeated threats to kill her, including statements such as, “We both know I am going down for this. I am going to kill you. We are both going to die tonight.”

He also purportedly told her, “You are dead tonight. You know that, don’t you. I am going to kill you and then kill myself.” Despite her pleas not to involve the police, Cosgrove responded with insults, calling her a ‘liar’ and a ‘s**g’. He then pushed her back onto the bed and resumed strangling her before releasing her again.

At one point, the woman attempted to escape by jumping out of a window and screamed for help, hoping to alert neighbors. However, Cosgrove covered her mouth, preventing her from calling for assistance. The court was told that she was lying on her back when Cosgrove placed both hands around her neck and squeezed forcefully, pressing her neck into the bed. She feared for her life and lost consciousness during the attack, with evidence indicating that he continued to strangle her even after she had passed out. Her next memory was of police officers banging on the door and shouting, but she did not hear them due to her unconscious state. She believed Cosgrove had turned her over before fleeing the scene.

It was later revealed that Cosgrove had jumped out of the bathroom window following the assault. The woman sustained multiple injuries, including bruising on her neck, face, back, and chest, a subconjunctival hemorrhage in her right eye caused by a burst blood vessel, and a fractured rib. Later that morning, Cosgrove returned to the residence but was quickly spotted by an officer stationed outside. He was found hiding in the trunk of the woman’s car and refused to answer questions during police interviews.

During his testimony, Cosgrove claimed that the argument was fueled by his anger that night but denied attacking her. He stated that she threw a punch at him and that he only grabbed her by the neck to prevent her from falling, asserting that she was very drunk at the time. He also claimed that on another occasion, he placed his hand on her chest to stop her from falling, denying that she ever lost consciousness, insisting she simply ‘fell asleep’.

Cosgrove, who resides on Livingston Avenue in Wythenshawe, was found guilty of attempted murder and intentional strangulation. However, he was acquitted of making threats to kill and of causing wounding with intent. The court scheduled his sentencing for May 1, and he remains in custody pending the outcome of that hearing.