DARLINGTON THUG JAILED FOR STRANGULATION AND POLICE ASSAULT
A violent thug who assaulted his partner by strangling her and also attacked police officers has been sentenced.Rhys Hunter, aged 29, of Esk Road, Darlington, was involved in a tumultuous incident where he repeatedly punched his partner in the face, grabbed her by the throat, and strangled her for about 30 seconds.
During the confrontation, Hunter called her a ‘slag’ and pinned her to the wall before continuing his assault.
The court also heard how Hunter headbutted one police officer and punched another during his arrest, refusing to be handcuffed and pinning officers to the ground.
The police had to use pepper spray and a Taser to subdue him.
Hunter has a history of 16 convictions for 38 offences, including multiple assaults on police officers, and was on licence at the time of the offences.
He pleaded guilty to multiple charges including intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of assaulting emergency workers, and five charges of obstructing police.
He was sentenced by Recorder Ashley Serr to two years and seven months in prison and was also ordered to be on an indefinite restraining order.
The judge highlighted that the assault was vicious, prolonged, and committed while Hunter was intoxicated, and in front of the victim’s son.
