Luke Garnett, 28, of Cook Street, Whiston, has been jailed for 21 months after strangling his partner following a funeral. He was found guilty of intentional strangulation and assault at Liverpool Magistrates' Court earlier this year.
Attack after funeral
The incident happened on June 3, 2025, when victim Sophie Jones brought Garnett back to her home at 8.15pm. She helped him into the shower, as he had vomited.
At Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, September 24, prosecutor Paul Blasbery said: "She described him as kicking off every time she left the bathroom, calling her a rat and a s**g and a sket, and many other names."
Ms Jones helped him get dressed even after receiving this abuse, and was sitting in the bedroom when Garnett came in and continued to call her names. He said he was frustrated because she could not be sick for him. He said 'do it now, or I'm ending the relationship'.
Strangulation and threats
Upset, Ms Jones went downstairs and into the living room, telling Garnett to speak to her when he was sober. Mr Blasbery said: "He came into the living room and began getting in her face, which scared her. She pushed him away from her and said she would call the police if he carried on."
Ms Jones went back upstairs to the bedroom, but was again followed by Garnett. He leapt on top of her, pinned her to the bed and put both his hands around her neck, choking her. Mr Blasbery said: "She shouted at him to stop. He then panicked and got off her. She ran down to the living room to get away from him while he continued to shout and scream abuse at her from upstairs."
He accused her of sleeping with members of her own family, and called her a "freak" and "inbred". Ms Jones then phoned Garnett's sister, who offered to let Ms Jones stay with her until Garnett had sobered up. However, Ms Jones was unable to find the keys to the house as Garnett had hidden them.
She told Garnett to leave and said she would call a taxi for him, but he refused. She then called her mum, who called the police. Mr Blasbery said: "He then came into the living room, grabbed her by the arm, dragged her across the room and threw the phone across the room in the process. He then picked up the phone and gave it back to her. She shouted at him to get out of the house; again he refused. She tried to leave the address but he was continually getting in her face, calling her a freak and a s**g."
Previous conviction and sentencing
Ms Jones eventually managed to run out of the property and called her mum. Garnett recorded her on his mobile phone, shouting "Show everyone what a little freak you are." Her mum and stepdad arrived at the scene a short time later, followed by the police. Dad-of-one Garnett was "being aggressive towards everyone in the street and throwing items around the garden".
He was interviewed by police on June 4, 2025, in which he denied the offences and said he and Ms Jones had been verbally abusive towards each other. He pleaded not guilty to intentional strangulation and assault, but was found guilty of both charges. The court heard the 28-year-old had one previous conviction for two offences relating to another former partner, the mother of his young daughter.
John Rowan, defending, said Garnett had made good progress with Change, Grow, Live drug and alcohol services. He said: "He's had, over the years, significant problems with a variety of substances which have significantly impacted on his mental health. While his mental health is of course an issue for mitigation, it's not used in any way to excuse or justify any violent behaviour."
Mr Rowan said Garnett was "vulnerable", having been taken into care aged 17. He said: "There were fractures within his family relationships resulting in him being placed into care. He did form a relationship, and he has a young child. As a result of this incident back in July, children's services have prevented any contact with the defendant because there are domestic violence concerns, and that has provided him a great deal of upset and disappointment."
Sentencing, Recorder Eric Lamb told Garnett: "I'm acutely aware that... the probation service have ongoing concerns because you are a high risk of serious harm to known individuals; your two former partners and your present partner, and furthermore, would be considered a high risk of serious harm to future partners and to children, including your own child."
He sentenced Garnett to a total of 21 months in prison and made a restraining order banning him from contacting Ms Jones in future.
