DRUNKEN PARTNER ATTACKER JAILED FOR CHOKING AND VIOLENCE

A court has heard that Tom Davis, aged 24, a drunken individual, severely assaulted his partner by grabbing her around the throat until she feared she would suffocate. According to court reports, Davis told the victim to lie to police about falling down the stairs to explain her bruising. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison for this conduct, which a judge described as a "terrible sequence of violence". The judge also branded Davis as a "danger around women". Davis admitted to causing actual bodily harm on October 1 and also pleaded guilty to damaging her television, which he broke after an argument during which he threw his lighter at it. The woman suffered reddening on her neck and arms, a cut on her head, and later fled to a friend's house in distress. She later revealed that Davis had grabbed her around the neck, making it difficult for her to breathe, and had placed his hand over her mouth and nose, worsening her predicament. He then refused to let her leave the property, banging her head on the sofa and pulling her hair. Reports indicate that police had previously received complaints of assaults against her, though she was reluctant to support prosecution in the past. Davis, who has no fixed address, was previously jailed for over three years in 2014 for armed robbery. The court considered his history of violence and his lack of support network but noted his progress in addressing alcohol abuse. An indefinite restraining order was also imposed to prevent Davis from approaching or contacting his victim. His Honour Judge Ian Lawrie emphasized the court’s intolerance for violence against women and underscored the her suffering and ongoing fear due to his jealous and controlling behaviour. Davis's legal counsel argued that drinking and aggression were triggers but suggested that a suspended sentence coupled with alcohol counselling could help prevent future offences.