A sheriff has castigated a man who restricted his partner’s breathing during a terrifying assault.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis sent Gregg Guild, 29, of Moncreiffe House, Bridge of Earn, to jail for 21 months and told him that “it doesn’t take much” for such incidents, where alcohol is involved, to go on with sometimes fatal results.
Perth Sheriff Court had heard how drink was the “catalyst” for the incident.
Depute Fiscal Rebecca Kynaston said: “The couple had been in a relationship for six years. On the night in question, the accused punched his partner on the face with the woman claiming the force was as if he was hitting another man.
“He knelt on her chest and she began wheezing. The woman phoned the police and tried to kick the accused off but he placed one hand around her throat.”
Solicitor Billy Sommerville, defending, said his client had a “favourable” background report, and stressed matters did not escalate further during the assault.
However, Sheriff Foulis slammed the accused, stating the “message has to get out there” about such crimes.
Sentencing Guild, he said: “This assault goes beyond grabbing hold and punching.
“You repeatedly seized your partner by the throat and restricted her breathing by covering her mouth. The Crown narration is accepted which stated your partner was having difficulty breathing and was wheezing.
“In instances such as these it is not hard to imagine that when alcohol is involved things can go further. Your solicitor is quite right to say things didn’t go further here but in these circumstances it has to be made clear people understand this.
“There is a mistaken perception about such matters that both parties have a complete say in what ultimately happens, where the police, prosecution and the judge is involved. However, this is completely without foundation.
“There has to be an element of deterrent and custody is the only option here.”
Guild had admitted assaulting his partner on November 14 last year at Moncreiffe Estate, Bridge of Earn, by repeatedly grabbing hold of her, repeatedly punching her on the head, repeatedly seizing her by the throat and restricting her breathing, kneeling on her chest and restricting her breathing, kneeling on her arms and twisting her leg.
