MAN JAILED AFTER STRANGLING GIRLFRIEND THREE TIMES
The timeline of Daniel Cardwell’s relationship with his victim was brief, spanning just a few months before he became physically violent.Within this period, he assaulted her on three separate occasions while under the influence of alcohol, one of which resulted in her losing consciousness intermittently.
During proceedings at Preston Crown Court, it was revealed that he was convicted of two assault charges and one count of malicious strangulation following a trial where his victim chose to give evidence voluntarily.
He also pleaded guilty to a charge of affray stemming from an unrelated incident.
Prosecutor Emma Kehoe explained that Cardwell and his victim started dating in January 2022.
The relationship, initially described as “great,” deteriorated as Cardwell began drinking heavily, using drugs, and exhibiting mental health issues as it progressed.
Ms Kehoe told the court: “They moved in together in March but not long after he became jealous and controlling.
He was paranoid she was having an affair.” It was heard the 32-year-old’s victim then became pregnant and during a discussion in Cardwell’s work van he launched into his first attack.
Ms Kehoe said Cardwell had been drinking vodka and “completely out of the blue” he turned into an “angry individual” and grabbed his victim and put both hands around her neck.
She went on: “He squeezed and put pressure on her neck.
She was scared and eventually he let go.
“She got out of the van and ran but he ran after her and pleaded with her to come back.” Tragically, the victim lost their child some weeks later and Cardwell was kind and respectful with her about this.
However, in May, things changed, as the woman went to see Cardwell in Essex, where he was working, and living in a caravan.
Ms Kehoe said Cardwell had been drinking and during discussions about their future, he lunged towards her and began hitting her in the face, before putting his hands around her neck and squeezing.
She said: “The defendant’s friend heard what was happening and intervened to stop the assault.” The third incident happened when the pair went back to live with each other, and following a few drinks, Cardwell accused her of having an affair.
The court was told how he then began punching and kicking her and dragged her around the house.
Again he put his hands around her neck and this was when she began slipping in and out of consciousness.
Ms Kehoe said: “She managed to run out of the front door and jumped in the passenger seat of a van that was parked up and told the driver to take her away.
“Following this she went to the police and reported this incident as well as the previous two occurrences.” It was in July, while on conditional bail for these offences, that Cardwell went back to live with his victim.
Ms Kehoe said that a group of people came to the house with weapons and Cardwell picked up a knife and ran out into the garden to meet the group before telling them to “back off”.
He then ran towards a neighbour who was trying to help, with the knife still in his hand.
Ms Kehoe added: “He ran from the property and the police attended and chased him down an alley.
“He resisted and was tasered and finally arrested.” Mitigating, Hannah Forsyth asked for a suspended sentence and asked Judge Ian Unsworth to bear in mind afforded credit for his guilty plea to the affray charge.
Cardwell, of Park Lane, Great Harwood, was jailed for three years and six months, He has also been made subject to a restraining order against the victim for 10 years.
