Stalker Shane Moss has been incarcerated after he asphyxiated his partner in the presence of their child. The 29-year-old accused his fiancée of 13 years of infidelity before exhibiting immature behaviour.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court was informed that he pursued her into the living room, pressed his head against hers, and attempted to prevent her from contacting the police by severing the cable from the socket. The police were sent to the family residence on Queen Street, Audley.
However, before officers arrived the defendant strangled his victim in front of their child. Now Shane Moss has been jailed for 23 months after the judge described his conduct as ‘utterly repulsive’.
Prosecutor Philip Beardwell said the victim described her relationship with Shane Moss as ‘rocky’. But on December 4 last year the pair argued after he accused her of having an affair.
Mr Beardwell said: “She walked away. The defendant came downstairs. He put his forehead against hers, causing pain. She called 999 before he pulled the phone wire.
“He then placed both hands around her neck and began to squeeze. She described herself as choking and was left with reddening to her neck.”
Shane Moss was made the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) which prohibited him from contacting his victim. But he contacted her on Christmas Day and continued to contact her before he was arrested for stalking on Boxing Day.
Shane Moss, of Maple Avenue, Crackley, pleaded guilty to stalking, criminal damage and strangulation.
Anis Ali, mitigating, conceded it was unpleasant and inappropriate conduct. He said Moss was genuinely remorseful and regrets his behaviour. Mr Ali said: “There were no visible injuries. The strangulation was short-lived in duration. It was a momentary lapse of judgement, a momentary loss of control.
“He has accepted responsibility and moved on. A custodial sentence will have a detrimental effect upon others. I invite you to give him one chance to demonstrate his commitment and resolve and allow continuity towards his children.”
But Recorder Robert Smith said Moss ‘thoroughly deserved’ to go to prison. Recorder Smith said: “You accused her of having an affair. She denied that was the case. You threw a childish tantrum.
“You forced your head against hers in an aggressive manner. You tried to stop her ringing the police, ripping the cord out of the socket. Fortunately the police were sent to the address.
“You strangled her. Your child had to witness his mother struggling for breath. This was utterly repulsive behaviour.
“You arrogantly ignored the DVPO and contacted her by text, phone, video call and WhatsApp. You ruined Christmas and abandoned all sense of propriety and decorum. You should be ashamed of yourself.
“A father who strangles the mother of his child with the child watching deserves no mercy from this court. You thoroughly deserve to go to prison.”
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