Mark Hutchinson, a convicted domestic abuser, left his partner struggling to breathe after strangling her on Valentine's Day. The 37-year-old from Wallsend, North Tyneside, was sentenced to 32 months in prison at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday via video link from Durham prison.
Incident Details
During an argument on February 14, Hutchinson placed both hands around his girlfriend's neck. The woman attempted to call 999 but the call did not connect. She then sent a safe word to her sister, who mistakenly contacted Hutchinson about a missed call. Hutchinson looked through the woman's phone and discovered the safe word message and her contact with police.
Officers spoke to the victim outside the property. She was distressed, her voice was hoarse, and she was coughing and wheezing. The court heard she was struggling to breathe during the conversation. Hutchinson denied strangulation in his police interview, claiming he was not physically strong enough to do it.
Previous Convictions
Hutchinson has three previous convictions for five offences, all domestic violence-related: battery in 2018, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and stalking in 2022, and coercive control and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2023. He pleaded guilty to one count of intentional strangulation.
Defence and Sentencing
Nick Lane, defending, told the court: "They had been in a relationship for some time. There was an argument and through this Mr Hutchinson accepts that his behaviour towards the victim fell well short of that which was appropriate and was inexcusable. He's expressed his remorse in his letter to your honour." Lane added that Hutchinson's grip was restricted due to an injury and that he had not properly dealt with grief from a traumatic experience in 2014.
Judge Sarah Mallett stated the offence was so serious that only immediate custody was justified. Hutchinson was sentenced to 32 months in prison.
