Luke Rippin (29) from New Milton avoids immediate jail term by “faintest sliver” after admitting ABH and stalking

A NEW Milton man who strangled his partner after she ended their relationship has avoided being jailed by the “faintest sliver”, a judge warned.

Luke Rippin (29) of Carisbrooke Court, New Milton, was branded a bully when he appeared to be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday.

The court heard Rippin and the victim had been in a relationship but when she ended it he began turning up at her home to see what she was doing, often loitering on her driveway or peering through her windows.

He also sent abusive text messages and made “constant” phone calls to her.

Prosecutor Keely Harvey told the court on 9th October last year Rippin went to her home and as she was leaving with their child, got into her car and refused to leave.

He was demanding to know where she was going and who with, and repeatedly swore at her, Ms Harvey explained.

He eventually left the vehicle, but later when the victim returned home he was again waiting, and attempted to remove their child from the car.

The court heard he also attempted to force his way into the victim’s home and pushed her backwards as he did so.

He then placed his hands around her neck for “a couple of seconds” before he ran away.

This “interfered with her breathing”, said Ms Harvey, and she was left with marks on her neck.

The incident, which was recorded on the victim’s mobile phone, was in the presence of their child, who was “crying continuously”.

Rippin was later arrested and charged with ABH and stalking. He pleaded guilty to both offences.

Defending, Amber Athill told the court Rippin suffered with chronic PTSD and was diagnosed with having an emotionally unstable personality disorder.

His behaviour was a result of his own childhood trauma and feelings of abandonment, she said, as he “desperately tried” to hold onto his own family.

He was remorseful for the distress he had caused and had sought therapy at his own expense to address his issues, she added.

She told the court just days prior to the hearing he had been in a coma in hospital after overdosing on pain medication for a recent back operation which had left him “in agony”.

Judge Christopher Parker KC, who handed Rippin a 15 month jail term, suspended for two years, told him he had behaved in a “childish and immature manner” in the build up to the assault and branded him “a bully”.

He added: “You made her life pretty miserable. Your behaviour [on the day] was physical and frightening.

“Placing hands around the neck even for a short period can can be very dangerous and can even cause death, which is why it attracts an immediate prison sentence.”

He added: “I have listened to the audio recording of what took place and to listen to your daughter’s distress was shocking and painful, as it ought to be to you.

“The only thing which keeps you from prison is that you recognise you need help and that you have taken steps to prevent it from happening again.

“That glimmer of recognition and hope for the future means just – but only by the faintest sliver – that you won’t go to prison today.”

He imposed a five-year restraining order, banning Rippon from contacting the victim or going to her home.

He must also undertake up to 30 sessions of the probation lead Building Better Relationships programme.