ABUSIVE MAN HELD HIS PARTNER BY THE THROAT FOR 30 SECONDS

Message to victim said: ‘I hope you die like your useless mum’

ANGRY Jared Priest grabbed his partner around the neck in a heated row.

The 34-year-old lost his temper after she told him to go to his mum’s house.

He jumped to the back of the sofa in a rage and held her around the throat for 30 seconds as her head banged against the wall.

He also damaged her sofa by throwing part of it across the room.

The ordeal followed a series of abusive and threatening messages sent to the victim.

Now Priest has been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 24 months, at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

The victim had received up to 50 abusive messages before the attack. One of the messages read: “I hope you die like your useless mum, you fat, useless piece of **** .”

Another said: “I am going to knock your teeth out lady.”

A third stated: “Do not **** with someone who has mental health issues and has nothing to lose.”

The attack happened on November 7 following an argument the night before.

Prosecutor Emily Pybus said: “She was terrified. He had her around the throat for 30 seconds and was screaming in her face.

“Her head kept banging on the wall behind. She was terrified and frozen to the spot.”

In a victim statement, the woman said she used to be a bubbly and confident person.

She had hoped that Priest would change and she wanted the relationship to work.

Priest, of Cornhill Road, Chell, pleaded guilty to charges of assault by beating, criminal damage, and sending a message which was indecent and obscene.

Representing himself, Priest said: “I have made a few mistakes. I should have walked away from the relationship when it started to get toxic. I really do regret it. I hope she is ok.”

The suspended sentence includes a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a Building Better Relationships programme.

He has also been handed a 12-month restraining order.

He must also pay £200 compensation for the damaged sofa, £400 compensation to the victim, £620 costs, and a £128 surcharge.

Chairman of the bench Phil Taylor said: “During the assault your expartner sustained quite severe, and quite a number of injuries, including having her head banged against the wall and strangulation.

“She was in her own home, the place where she is entitled to feel safe and secure.”