Thomas Dunlavy, 42, of Milvain Avenue, Newcastle, has been jailed for two years and eight months after strangling his sister until she turned bright red and couldn't breathe, then smashing windows at the property. He pleaded guilty to strangulation, assault by beating, two counts of damaging property, and threatening to damage property.
Attack unfolded after medication dispute
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Dunlavy's sister lived on the top floor of an address with her partner and child, while Dunlavy lived on the bottom floor with their mother. There had been "issues" between them.
On July 25, the sister went into her garden with her adult daughter, and their mother came down, saying Dunlavy was in a bad state of mind because he had been refused medication. They went inside to talk, but when Dunlavy saw them chatting, he became angry and started shouting. His sister shouted back.
Strangling and window smashing
Dunlavy then "got in her face" and continued shouting. When the woman decided to leave, he shut a door and grabbed her throat. Prosecutor Emily Sanderson said: "He grabbed it with both hands and squeezed it. She couldn't speak or breathe." After letting go, he grabbed her hair, and she fell to the floor. He grabbed her neck again and punched her twice to the side of the head, causing swelling.
The mother then called upstairs for the victim's partner, saying: "He's got her by the throat and is going to kill her." The partner saw Dunlavy with one leg on a chair, leaning over her, with both hands around her neck. Miss Sanderson said: "He saw him strangling her. Her face was bright red and she was struggling to breathe. He pulled him off her and they ran out with their daughter."
The court heard the woman was left feeling dizzy and struggling to walk. Dunlavy shouted he would put their windows out and threw bricks at their windows, causing them to smash. He also smashed windows of the man's van.
Sentencing and background
Dunlavy, who has 52 previous convictions and was on three suspended sentences, told probation he was "full of tablets and went into a rage". Recorder Nick Tucker imposed a five-year restraining order to protect the sister and partner, saying: "It doesn't take much imagination to conclude this was a terrifying incident for everyone else in the property that day. These were serious offences."
Tony Cornberg, defending, said Dunlavy's mum is blind and he wants to return to live with her to help her. He added: "He lost his medication then lost control. He has been on methadone since he was 18 and when he hasn't got it he panics. He took tablets to sleep and drank as well. When he is off the drugs he is completely lucid. He said he handled it wrong and should have just walked off. He said he was on tablets and hates himself for it. He wants to get off methadone."
