Court told attacker’s rage was ‘out of character’

A brute who strangled his former partner three times during a terrifying attack has walked free from court.

Byron Anderson choked the victim until she passed out and became unconscious at the home they used to share at Houghton le Spring, in July.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the couple had been together for around 25 years but the victim said Anderson's behaviour changed over the previous 12-months, when he started abusing drugs, specifically crack cocaine.

Prosecutor Rachel Butt said during an argument in May or June, sparked by Anderson's "bad mood" as he had no money for drugs, the victim called him a "crackhead" and said he needed to sort out his problem.

His response was to slap her face, threaten to slit her throat, punch her head and then pull her hair when she fell to the floor.

The court heard Anderson stayed away from their home after the attack and the victim moved out when he returned.

On July 4 she went back to collect some belongings, when she expected him to be out but he was there.

Miss Butt said an argument started over some keys, which the victim knew nothing about, and added: "He placed his hands around her neck and forcefully squeezed.

"She managed to push him off and called him an 'evil crackhead’.

During a second attack on the stairs, Anderson again strangled the victim, this time until she passed out.

Miss Butt said: "When she came to she felt as though she had been punched. She asked him what he was was doing and screamed for help.

"He responded by placing his elbow in her mouth to prevent her from shouting for help.

"He placed his hand around her neck for a third time and again strangled her, to the point she lost consciousness."

The court heard the victim was "in fear for her life" when she regained consciousness and bit Anderson to get him off so she could run out of the house.

Police attended after being called by a passer-by who had heard screaming from inside.

Anderson was released on bail, with conditions to stay away from the woman, but would message her up to 80 times per day before he was remanded in custody.

The 40-year-old, of no fixed address, admitted assault by beating and intentional strangulation.

Recorder Georgina Nolan sentenced him to two years suspended for two years with probation, drug treatment and mental health treatment requirements.

The court heard Anderson, who was given a two-year restraining order, has never been in trouble before.

The recorder said the offences appear to have resulted from a deterioration in his emotional wellbeing following bereavements and subsequent drug and alcohol abuse.

Recorder Nolan said strangulation is an "incredibly dangerous" thing to do but keeping Anderson in custody would do little to address the factors that underly his offending.

Fiona Lamb, defending, said: "His remorse is genuine. He is of previous good character, he doesn't even have a caution on his record.

"This behaviour was out of character."