Hartlepool man jailed for threatening ex-partner with knife and strangulation

Michael Kettlewell, a 39-year-old rigger, received a three-year prison sentence after admitting to grave acts of domestic violence. The court was informed that Kettlewell brandished a large knife against his former partner’s throat, resulting in minor skin punctures, and made multiple threats to kill her. Prosecutor Jeremy Barton detailed that during the assault, Kettlewell strangled his victim twice—once in the living room and again in the bedroom, which was described as the most traumatic part of the assault. He also dragged her through shards of broken glass, forced her head underwater, and made ominous threats to shave her head and bleach her in a bath—indicating plans to cause her serious harm. The victim testified that Kettlewell had placed nails against her car’s wheels to prevent her escape and managed to send a distress message to her ex-husband via text, summoning police assistance. She displayed police officers bruises, cuts from glass, and a wire charger that Kettlewell used to strangle her. Additionally, the prosecution stated that Kettlewell had told her he planned to kill her, had arranged for friends to collect her body, and even mentioned his intent to store her in the garage freezer. The woman believed her life was in danger as Kettlewell admitted he was ready to inject heroin and make her appear to have committed suicide. Upon police arrival, she was hysterical, shaking, and curled up. Kettlewell was later arrested at his home after crashing through locked doors; officers found offensive weapons, including a butterfly knife and knuckleduster, at his residence. Initially denying the charges, Kettlewell claimed his victim had assaulted him, but he later pleaded guilty after a delay. The court took into account that he had no previous convictions and viewed his late plea as a sign of remorse. He was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to abide by a ten-year restraining order. Judge Smith emphasized the gravity of the offences through his sentencing decision.