Judge: strangler’s disposition danger to women

AN Alexandra man who strangled his partner is obsessed by the notion that women cheat on him, a judge says.

Andrew Drysdale Beck, a factory worker, began arguing with his partner of three years after the last guests left their Alexandra home following his 45th birthday party on July 8 last year.

He then headbutted her and strangled her to the point where she thought she was going to die.

When she was released and tried to fight back, he pushed her to the floor and ‘‘bodyslammed’’ her, Judge Michael Turner said.

After the defendant’s arrest, he assaulted a policewoman at the station by shoving her, and a Taser was needed to subdue him.

It was ‘‘highly likely’’ the victim lost consciousness while being strangled, Judge Turner said.

Beck admitted charges of intentionally impeding the victim’s breathing, assaulting a person in a family relationship and assaulting a constable.

His lawyer, Kieran Tohill, said there was no protection order in force at the time, the complainant suffered no physical injuries, and no children were involved.

The behaviour was out of character for the defendant, and he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

‘‘This is a oneoff caused by alcohol and his paranoia with relationships.’’

Judge Turner said drug, alcohol and behavioural issues appeared to be behind the offending, rather than a major mental health disorder.

‘‘He has an obsession that any woman he is interested in is cheating on him.

‘‘He has a controlling disposition, in my view, and poses a danger to this woman and any other he’s in a relationship with.’’

A psychiatrist’s report found Beck had a ‘‘belief system’’ his domestic partners were unfaithful to him, which dated back to his first victim when he was 15.

Substance abuse had fuelled this obsession, leading him to ‘‘constantly contact’’ his partners to find out what they were doing.

Beck, who appeared in the Queenstown District Court by audiovisual link from prison on Wednesday, was convicted on all charges and sentenced to two year’s and four months’ imprisonment.