Jamie Gray, a 36-year-old from Barmston Close, Washington, has been handed a suspended prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court after strangling a woman, headbutting a teenager, and stealing their mobile phone. The offences occurred in August last year.
Details of the Attack
Prosecutor Neil Jones told the court that Gray had been drinking all afternoon before the incident. He placed both hands around a woman's neck and strangled her. He then grabbed a teenager by the throat with one hand and headbutted them. When the teenager tried to contact the police, Gray took their mobile phone and did not return it.
Another person heard the commotion and contacted the police, leading to Gray's arrest. He pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and theft of a mobile phone. Jones noted that the theft was to prevent the victim from calling for help.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Defence lawyer Helen Towers said Gray expressed remorse and was shocked by his own actions. She stated, 'He will want me to express his feelings of remorse. He's shocked by his own actions and determined to address the underlying source of his abhorrent behaviour.'
Recorder Tony Hawks told Gray that he had lost his good character, referencing pre-sentence reports and character references from family and others. He said, 'From the pre-sentence report, and from your family and other people who have sent in references, on your behalf, I'm sure that for most of your life you have been a decent, hardworking family man. I don't know what came over you in August of last year. You have obviously had far too much to drink. I don't know what caused it but I tell you this - if anything like this ever happens again you're going straight to prison, do you understand that?'
Recorder Hawks sentenced Gray to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work. He added, 'The RAR days are there to try and help you to try and work out, by you working with a professional from the probation service, what on earth happened to you to bring about this absolutely disgraceful behaviour. I suggest you search your soul about that and listen to what people say to you because this mustn't happen again.'
