Brave victim of domestic violence says she 'died mentally' when ex-boyfriend throttled her in Sunderland
A domestic violence victim has told a court she “died mentally” when her ex-partner strangled her during an attack.
The brave woman said she “never came back” after Jackson Roberts choked her in June 2022 – and he went on to commit a similar strangling attack on her just a few months later.
During his sentence hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, the victim said: “June 11 2022 was the day I died and never came back. I didn't die physically, but I died mentally.”
She said although she has been left with PTSD, flashbacks and trust issues, she was determined to read her own statement in court and added: “I was nearly killed, so I will not be silenced.”
During the strangling attacks, which happened in Sunderland, the victim struggled to breathe and in the second, she could taste blood in her mouth.
Roberts, 30, of Easington Village, County Durham, admitted two charges of intentional strangulation, in June and November, both 2022.
He pleaded guilty on the basis that both incidents occurred during arguments while in a “toxic” relationship, after taking drink and drugs and that the victim had also used violence.
The court heard Roberts was given a community order in 2023 for common assault and criminal damage on the same victim, which resulted in him completing a Building Better Relationships course through the probation service.
It was also told that Roberts had stayed out of trouble for more than two years, had a settled home, no longer used substances, had matured, gained qualifications and accepted the need to change.
Recorder Richard Stubbs told him: “It is clear you are genuinely remorseful.”
He sentenced Jackson to 22 months, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements.
He also ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and made him the subject of a five-year restraining order.