Man, 25, jailed under new strangulation law

A 25-year-old man is one of the first people in Northamptonshire to be sent to prison under a new law.

Non-fatal strangulation was made a specific offence as part of the Government’s Domestic Abuse Act.

It followed concerns that perpetrators were avoiding punishment as the act can often leave no visible injury, making it harder to prosecute under existing offences such as Actual Bodily Harm (ABH). 

Studies have shown that victims are seven times more likely to be murdered by their partner if there had been non-fatal strangulation beforehand.

Connor Vickers, previously of Everest Lane, Corby, is one of the first people to be convicted of the offence in this county, following an incident on July 15 this year, when he placed his arm around a woman’s neck and started to tighten his grip, restricting her breathing.

In August, he assaulted her again by hitting her to the jaw.

After pleading guilty in August to intentional strangling, assault by beating and another assault which caused actual bodily harm, Vickers was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on October 27, to one year and six months in prison.

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “Tackling violence against women and girls is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police so we are pleased that Vickers pleaded guilty to these offences and has been sent to prison for them.

“This is one of our first convictions for intentional strangulation, a piece of legislation that we welcomed when it was first introduced, and we will continue to pursue charges of this nature in future cases as appropriate.”