Liam Bull of Sway sentenced to 15 months in prison for assaulting partner

A JEALOUS boyfriend who strangled his partner to the point she feared she would die has been jailed.

Southampton Crown Court heard Liam Bull (27), of Lower Mead End Road, Sway, displayed “possessive and jealous” behaviour during the “turbulent” relationship.

Prosecutor Ned Sillett explained the incident, on 23rd November last year, began as Bull and his partner had been discussing their relationship at his flat after an argument the previous evening. He told her he didn’t trust her and that she should leave, but as she went to do so he shoved her, and she fell against a wall.

The court heard Bull became “very aggressive” and threw the victim onto the bed before grabbing her around the throat with both his hands.

The victim could not breathe, and felt as if she would pass out, Mr Sillett added.

After a struggle, the victim escaped, and Bull later messaged to say he was “so sorry”.

The victim, who told police she thought she would die in the attack, attended Lymington hospital for neck pain and was advised to go to Southampton hospital for further checks, but decided against it.

In interview, Bull gave no-comment replies but later said he had acted in self defence.

The court heard he had been handed a six-month sentence in February last year for possession of a blade and an imitation firearm.

Defending, Laura Duff told the court Bull “had not had an easy start in life”, having been born dependant on heroin and crack cocaine. He had spent time in care and also suffered abuse.

She added: “It is not a justification of his actions, but this was during a very difficult time for him. His best friend had recently passed away, and he lost his mother to an overdose. He was not in a good place, but it does not excuse what he did. He is deeply remorseful and apologetic.”

Bull’s ADHD and autism impacted his ability to regulate his emotions, she added, but he had taken “significant” steps to change.

Bull pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of strangulation and assault by beating.

Sentencing Bull to 15 months’ jail, Judge Nicholas Rowland called the attack “a deeply frightening episode” for the victim, adding: “You should have been looking after her, not behaving the way you did. A custodial sentence is the only appropriate sentence.”