Man jailed for strangling ex-girlfriend in caravan

Daniel West was jailed for two years after strangling his ex-girlfriend

A man who beat and strangled his former partner in a caravan has been jailed for two years.

Daniel West, 37, squeezed his ex-girlfriend's throat until she thought she was going to pass out during the late night attack at Tattershall Lakes caravan park in Lincolnshire on 20 December.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the victim was unable to report the assaults straight away after West took her phone during a row over a photograph she had posted on social media.

West, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assault by beating, assaulting an emergency worker, intentional strangulation and criminal damage.

In an impact statement read out in court, the victim said she felt trapped when West began the attack by punching her in the toilet of their caravan.

She described being kicked in the ribs and head, and then West squeezing her throat in the bedroom.

"I thought I was going to pass out," she said.

Police were eventually called at 06:00 GMT after the victim escaped from the caravan and drove to the site security office.

West was "clearly in drink" when police arrived at the caravan and he spat at one of the officers as he was placed in the rear of a custody van. He also urinated in his cell, the court was told.

'Toxic relationship'

West also admitted breaching a two month suspended jail sentence passed in March last year for offences of malicious communication and assaulting an emergency worker.

Sam Lowne, mitigating for West, admitted the relationship was, at times, "toxic."

"This is a relationship where both parties can spark matters, but in no way does this justify violence," Mr Lowne said.

"He would agree it is sensible for both of them not to continue and would welcome a restraining order."

Passing sentence, Recorder James Bide-Thomas said West placed his arm across the woman's throat and suffocated her.

He told West: "As a result she nearly lost consciousness and you prevented her from leaving."

A restraining order was also made which prevents West having any contact with the victim for 10 years.

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