DOMESTIC ABUSER AVOIDS JAIL AFTER CHOKING GIRLFRIEND IN SWINDON
A man named Mitchell Mahood, aged 28 of Dodridge, Purton, was involved in domestic abuse incidents that resulted in him avoiding jail time.He pushed and strangled his girlfriend until she could not breathe, actions which he reportedly justified by stating his anger was like a 'switch' and that he had a temper.
These acts led to him being sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on April 25 for one count of intentional strangulation and one count of assault by battery.
Notably, the first assault occurred when he strangled his girlfriend because the internet had been cut off, during which he chased her around the flat, pinned her down, and held his hand on her neck until she felt dizzy, while also holding her down 'to stop her from hitting him,' as described by prosecutor Leanne Woodman.
This incident took place on December 1, 2022, with a young child present.
Mahood also assaulted her when she was seven months pregnant on August 11, 2023, by throwing her onto the bed during a heated argument, which started when he refused to leave her house.
He further claimed that 'she swings like a man' and made a disproportionate response while admitting to drinking beforehand.
The court noted his history with 16 previous convictions, including an assault on a partner's new partner and grabbing a shopworker by the throat.
Mahood, who represented himself in court, was sentenced to a 12-month suspended sentence for the strangulation and a one-month suspended sentence for the assault, to run concurrently, totaling a 12-month suspended sentence.
He is also required to join the Building Better Relationships program.
No restraining order was issued.