Woman pinned to floor in chokehold
EX PARTNER CHASED HER, HIT HER, AND RIPPED HER CLOTHES
A MUM thought she was going to die when she was put in a chokehold by her abusive partner after dumping him for cheating.
The victim was held by the neck for 10 to 15 seconds by Thomas White, who also went on to punch her, stalk her and drove “like a madman” chasing her as she tried to go to a doctors appointment.
Now White, who is thought to be one of the first people in the country to be prosecuted for the new offence of “intentional strangulation”, has been jailed.
Newcastle Crown Court heard they had been in a relationship for around a year and a half and she said he had been aggressive during it. She ended it on June 8 last year when she found out he had been unfaithful, the court heard.
She left his address and went home at around midnight. Half an hour later, he turned up and barged his way in, knocking her up against a wall. He then pushed her with both hands against the living room wall, causing her to bang her head.
Michael Bunch, prosecuting, said: “She was absolutely terrified. He dragged her on to the floor and placed her in a chokehold. He is a big, well-built man. She scratched at his arms and face to get him to release his grip.”
White held his grip on her throat for 10 to 15 seconds before her efforts caused him to let go.
He started to cry and she repeated the relationship was over and he would have to let her go. He replied he would never let her go.
He left but returned the next morning. He let himself in the back door. She left through the front and headed for a GP appointment.
Mr Bunch said: “He followed her and she said he was driving like a madman, trying to box her in to get her to stop. She was terrified.”
She made it to the surgery but saw him parking outside. After the appointment he shouted abuse at her then got in her car, begging her not to seek a restraining order, saying he would lose his job and son.
He then punched an airbag in the car and she tried to run off but he grabbed her, ripping her jacket.
Having got back in her car and reached home, he turned up again at 1pm, claiming he was having a panic attack. He then became angry, calling her names before eventually leaving. He returned at 2pm with a handful of tablets, swallowing them in front of her, so she contacted his mother.
A few hours later, having been out, she returned to find him on the ground, drunk, in her garden. She let him in, due to embarrassment at his state and tried to be nice to him due to her fear. But he became aggressive, prompting her to try to get away. He grabbed her jacket and dragged her in the house.
Mr Bunch said: “He began punching her, there were ten punches in the head. She was scared for her life and kicked out at him, which enabled her to get out and run into the street. He caught up with her, ripping her vest top completely off. She was totally exposed on her upper half and very embarrassed in the street and felt scared for her life. She tried to run home but he dragged her to the ground and started smashing her head off the pavement.”
White smashed her phone. When people came out, she was able to run and hide and police were called. Officers had to taser him to bring him under control.
White, 33, of Burney Villas, Deckham, Gateshead, who has eight previous convictions, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, stalking involving fear of violence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.
He was jailed for two-and-a-half years and given an indefinite restraining order.