WOMAN FEARED FOR LIFE AS PARTNER STRANGLED HER IN BED
A woman feared her life was at risk when she awoke to find her former partner choking her.Darren Taylor, aged 35 and from Westfield, Harwell near Didcot, was convicted and sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, May 21.
He had previously admitted to a charge of deliberate strangulation of his ex-partner in Witney on December 4 of the previous year.
During the hearing, prosecutor Julian Lynch explained that Taylor and the woman had started dating in 2008.
They ended their relationship in 2019 but reunited in 2022, before separating again the following year.
It was also stated that Taylor was staying at the woman’s residence on the day of the incident, which she had agreed to.
Mr Lynch said: "He (Taylor) started to cry and gave a sob story about how he loved her and wanted her back." The court heard he left after this, but left some belongings behind, which the woman agreed he could collect.
Mr Lynch told the court the woman then went to sleep.
He said: "She woke up to find him on top of her.
He had his hand over her mouth and around her neck.
"She was extremely scared and screamed loudly." The woman managed to get out of the bed and get away from him.
She suffered eye swelling and scratches.
The victim attended court and read out her impact statement.
She said: "On that night, after weeks of stalking, he entered my bedroom, attacked and strangled me.
"I felt completely helpless and thought I was going to die.
My lips turned blue and swollen.
The psychological impact has stayed with me ever since.
"This was not an isolated incident.
He made me feel worthless.
His behaviour escalated into persistent stalking and harassment.
"I no longer feel safe in my own home.
The defendant has committed domestic abuse against me in the past.
This behaviour is not normal and will not be accepted and is not Ok.
"The fear and trauma remains every day.
This was a long period of abuse through control.
We need to heal and rebuild our lives without fear." The court heard that Taylor has eight previous convictions for 13 offences.
These included four of domestic violence against the same victim, including one incident of reversing a car into her.
David Langwallner, mitigating, said: "He overreacted very badly in this specific situation.
He was mentally not in the right place.
This is a ruptured family unit." Judge Michael Roques said: "You applied pressure to cause redness to her neck.
She was able to scream for help.
"You robbed her of that feeling of safety and security.
Your main mitigation comes from your plea of guilt.
I know there is a bitter background here." Moore was jailed for 24 months.
He was also given a six-year restraining order against the victim.
