Charlie Stefano, 35, of Horse Bridge Road, Dagenham, east London, has been pictured by Kent Police sticking his tongue out to the camera in his custody image after a violent assault on a woman in Chatham.
Kent Police was called to a petrol station in Chatham after the woman fled a private property following the incident in the early hours of February 13. She told officers that Stefano, a man she knew, had grabbed her twice by the throat, once as he dragged her across a floor and held her over a staircase.
Attack details
He also kicked her, causing swelling to her ankle, and snapped her phone in half. According to Kent Police, the victim managed to escape the address when Stefano was distracted, and concerned members of the public called the police on her behalf.
Stefano was tracked down and arrested later that same day. He was charged and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to intentional strangulation and causing actual bodily harm.
Sentence and reaction
Two further charges of criminal damage and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour were ordered to lie on file. He was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison and handed a six-year restraining order on Tuesday, August 18.
Detective Sergeant Leighton Prior said: "A woman has been left traumatised by Stefano’s actions and I hope the prison sentence and restraining order can bring her some closure.
"I would like to commend her courage in supporting his prosecution and ensuring a man who is a clear danger to women is now behind bars."
