Man throttled drug-addict girlfriend three times in one day

A man tried to throttle his drug-addicted girlfriend three times in the space of a day, a court has been told.
Mansfield Magistrates CourtMansfield Magistrates Court
Mansfield Magistrates Court

Craig Blackband admitted three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his partner during a hearing at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court.

The 42-year-old, of Melbourne Court, Mansfield, had got into an argument with his partner in the middle of the Oak Tree Lane estate on the afternoon of February 6.

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The argument had stemmed from his partner’s heroin use, and he grabbed her by the throat with both hands and dragged her to the ground before she became free.

Just hours later she went to his flat when another row broke out before he again grabbed her neck with both hands before she fought back.

Finally, at around 11.30pm she received aa call from him and she invited him round.

Yet again they got into an argument and he dragged her to the floor with his hands clasped around her throat. She was able to phone the police and Blackband was eventually arrested.

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The court was shown images of the injuries to his girlfriend, which included cuts and grazes to her face.

In mitigation, Simon Greaves said Blackband had suffered from mental health problems which led to excess drinking.

He said his client could not remember the events of that day.

He said: “He has gradually been consumed by drink, it’s quite a sorry tale.

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“He has tried on many occasions to rid himself of his alcohol problem.

“He is utterly ashamed and disgusted with his actions and quite beside himself.

“He does not seek to hide behind any lack of recollection.”

After deliberating, the magistrates give him 51 weeks’ jail, suspended for two years and made him pay £165 in costs.

The magistrates added: “These are a series of very nasty assaults within a few hours of each other.

“We came very close to sending this to crown court for sentencing.

“Domestic violence is something that’s not acceptable, you need to remember that.”

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