Chester-le-Street Man Sentenced for Assault and Strangulation of Partner

CHESTER-LE-STREET MAN SENTENCED FOR ASSAULT AND STRANGULATION OF PARTNER

A violent offender named Wayne Crawford, aged 34, has been sentenced to prison for assault and strangulation of his former partner.

The court heard that Crawford arrived at the woman's home last September, accusing her of having an affair.

Despite her protests, Crawford responded with violence, punching her in the back of the head, leg, eye, and ear.

The victim, who had recently given birth, described the incident: "He responded by punching her in the back of the head, the leg, eye and ear." She reported that the assault happened at least six times, causing her pain.

Crawford then pinned her on the bed and strangled her, leaving her terrified and in fear for her life.

During a later incident, he used such force during strangulation that she believed he was trying to kill her and was unable to speak afterward; she experienced a croaky voice for about two weeks.

The woman, living in Sunderland at the time, provided an impact statement saying, "He has broken my heart.

I am so scared I am going to move out of my home.

I'm on edge all the time." She further added, "I feel like I'm grieving a relationship I wanted but didn't have." Crawford, residing in Chester-le-Street, pleaded guilty to assault and strangulation.

Judge Carolyn Scott sentenced him to 30 months in prison and imposed a five-year restraining order.