A pub landlord who strangled his former partner with such force that she fell off a bar stool has been given a suspended prison sentence. Anthony Muir, 44, attacked the woman after they returned from a gig by an Elvis impersonator, leaving her fearing she would "leave her children without a mother."
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Muir had been in a relationship with the victim for around three months before the incident on February 9 last year. The couple had visited Manchester before Muir drove them back to the Prince George pub in Fazakerley, where he was then the landlord. However, he became jealous of his girlfriend speaking to other men and turned aggressive after closing time.
CCTV captures attack
Prosecutor Bethany Leigh described how CCTV footage showed the victim sitting on a stool at the bar when Muir advanced towards her and placed his hand on her throat "with such force" that she fell backwards to the ground. He continued to shout at her on the floor, telling her: "Shut the f*** up and get in the car."
The victim attempted to ring the police while in Muir's vehicle, but he was alerted to the call because her phone was connected to the car speakers. She then jumped out of the car and fled when he pulled over.
Victim's statement
In a statement read to the court, the victim said: "I should have listened to my instincts and never trusted you. I'm worth more than what you've done to me. Our relationship was short. It was unhealthy and controlling."
She added: "On the night I came to watch the Elvis impersonator, you destroyed my self confidence and self worth. I've never been so afraid or panicked in my life. I genuinely feared for my safety. That still haunts me."
She described Muir's "erratic driving" on the motorway afterwards, saying: "I genuinely believed I was going to die and leave my children without a mother. I've not been able to fully process the trauma you caused. I lived in fear you would find me and hurt me again."
Sentencing
Muir, now of Arden in Widnes, was found guilty of one count of intentional strangulation following a trial before the magistrates' court. He was handed a 15-month suspended sentence with 200 hours of unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days, and an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. He was also given a restraining order and ordered to pay court costs.
Sentencing, Judge Katherine Pierpoint said: "There is never any excuse for a man, in temper, in aggression, to lay hands on a female." She noted that Muir had shown "no level of remorse" but suspended the sentence due to the impact on his nine-year-old son.
Muir, who represented himself, said he planned to appeal his conviction and told the court he is now the landlord of a different unnamed pub. He admitted he had not informed his employer of his conviction, saying an immediate custodial sentence "would massively impact mine and my partner's home."
