MERSEA MAN SENTENCED TO OVER TWO YEARS FOR DOMESTIC SUFFOCATION

A man from Mersea Island has been handed a prison sentence of over two years after he pleaded guilty to suffocating a woman involved in a domestic abuse incident. Nicholas Dimopoulos, 31, of Empress Avenue in Mersea Island, admitted to charges of non-fatal suffocation and actual bodily harm during a nine-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court that concluded on August 22. The incident occurred on February 4, 2024, in the Blackheath area of Colchester, where police found the victim with injuries including two swollen black eyes. Law enforcement officers succeeded in locating Dimopoulos, who was charged on March 1, 2024, and remanded into custody. Although he faced additional charges of rape, attempted grievous bodily harm, and assault by penetration, he was cleared of those charges last week. The court sentenced him to two concurrent prison terms of two years and four months for the suffocation and bodily harm, and also imposed a 10-year restraining order. Additionally, Dimopoulos will have to pay a victim surcharge of £228. Robert Kedar from Essex Police’s Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Team remarked: “Nicholas Dimopoulos is a dangerous individual involved in domestic violence, and it took great courage for the victim to come forward and provide evidence about her experience. Our officers committed extensive time to investigating this case, including efforts to monitor and intervene in Dimopoulos’ behavior before his arrest. Offenders like him require ongoing supervision to ensure they follow the conditions set upon their release. We are satisfied that he will serve time in prison and be subject to a substantial restraining order.”