Woman feared death during partner's drunken rage

A woman feared her violent partner would kill her in a drunken rage, a court has heard.

Alasdair Johnston, 39, from Carlisle, strangled and headbutted the woman and smashed her possessions after he got drunk during shopping trips, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He admitted intentional strangulation, assault and criminal damage and was jailed for 20 months.

In a statement, Johnston's now ex-partner said she was "frightened" of what he would do, while the judge said he could have killed her.

On 31 October, while the pair were shopping in Newcastle, Johnston got increasingly drunk by consuming 10 cans of lager, prosecutor Lucy Todd said.

When they returned to the victim's home he launched an attack on her, grabbing her by the throat with both hands and causing her to momentarily black out.

When she grabbed his beard he headbutted her in the eye, the court heard.

The woman, who had called a friend for help, then barricaded herself in her bedroom.

Johnston apologised several days later and told her he was drunk and did not know what he was doing, Ms Todd said.

He again got drunk when they went out together on 7 November, the court was told.

When they returned home, the woman hid behind a chair in the living room while Johnston went on a rampage, smashing a mirror which had been made for her by her father and other ornaments of great sentimental value, Ms Todd said.

He fled through a window when police arrived but was arrested a short while later in Prudhoe.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said she had lived in "constant fear" of Johnston as he was unpredictable and violent when drunk.

She said she was frightened of what he would do in drink, adding: "I really do believe he will kill me when he is in such a rage."

Recorder Alistair MacDonald KC said only immediate imprisonment was appropriate for Johnston, of Henderson Road in Currock, who could have killed the woman when he strangled her.

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