61-YEAR-OLD MAN GUILTY OF CHOKING HIS PARTNER AFTER PUB DISPUTE
A man identified as Raymond Plant, aged 61, committed an act of domestic violence when he grabbed his partner's neck and choked her in response to her deciding to leave the pub early after they had been drinking with his work colleagues.The victim reported that Plant had held her around the neck and was squeezing to the point where she could struggle to breathe, leading her to scream and fall to the ground in fear.
She stated, 'I screamed and felt like I couldn't breathe.' The incident occurred on December 21, and Plant subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.
During court proceedings, Prosecutor Jill Seddon explained that the couple did not cohabit but had been out together that evening and argued about her wanting to go home versus his desire to stay and continue drinking.
The victim described feeling very frightened and shocked during the ordeal, which lasted around 30 minutes, until her mother arrived to collect her in a distressed state.
Plant claimed that his partner had been dependent on alcohol since the age of 14 and stated that their argument escalated to pushing and falling, during which he attempted to lift her after she fell screaming.
Plant expressed remorse, saying, 'I apologise to you, to the court for the upset and ignorance I showed that day,' and acknowledged the impact of his actions.
He was fined £600, ordered to pay £85 in court costs, and a £60 victim surcharge.