Dangerous Louth man jailed for attacks on woman
A Louth man who was found guilty of repeatedly strangling and headbutting a woman has been jailed for four years.
Liam O'Rourke, 50, must also serve an extended licence period of 12 months on his release from jail after a judge found there was "ample evidence of his danger to women."
O'Rourke, of Welbeck Way, Louth, was convicted of two charges of non-fatal strangulation and assault causing actual bodily harm following an eight day trial at Lincoln Crown Court.
He was also cleared of three other charges.
Michael Masson, prosecuting, said the victim was particularly vulnerable as she was suffering from cancer and other medical conditions at the time of the offences in July last year.
In an impact statement which was read out in court the victim described the trauma of going through the court process.
"I had to relive it all," she explained.
The victim also described how she had now been forced to move out of Louth by the experience.
"I feel like my life will never be the same again," she added.
The court heard O'Rourke had 50 previous convictions for 90 offences, including ten against the person.
Passing sentence on Thursday (March 5) Judge Catarina Sjolin-Knight said the victim was obviously vulnerable as she had been discharged from hospital just two weeks earlier after treatment for her stage three cancer.
Judge Catarina Sjolin-Knight told O'Rourke that he had been found guilty of strangling and headbutting the woman on the night of July 28, 2025 into the morning of July 29.
"There were repeated strangulations over the night," Judge Sjolin-Knight added.
"She has had to leave not just her flat, but the town of Louth."
A restraining order was also made which prevents O'Rourke having any future contact with the victim.