Man jailed for ‘strangling mum’ in front of child
A 47-year-old man who attempted to strangle his partner at her Galashiels home has been jailed for 21 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court.
Christopher Garrard pleaded guilty to charges of threatening or abusive behaviour and assault to injury at a house in the town on Friday, December 5.
The court was told the couple had been in a relationship for six years but lived separately.
On the day of the offences, the woman received messages from Garrard that were meant for someone else and confronted him about it when he came home, which led him to punch doors.
Prosecutor Ruraidh Allison said the accused was under the influence of alcohol. When he woke up and found his partner going through his phone, he asked what was going on. Garrard then began throwing items and shadow boxing in front of her.
The woman managed to capture part of the incident on her mobile phone when Garrard grabbed her by the neck with both hands and pinned her to the bed.
The police were called and Garrard told officers: “It was just an argument”, but the child said he had “strangled mum”.
Officers noted she had redness to her neck and chest.
Defence lawyer Ross Dow said the injuries were minor and the incident involving the neck only lasted one second, but he accepted it was a dangerous thing to do.
Sheriff Robert Fife noted Garrard had “an extensive record”. The sentence was back-dated to December 8, when he was first remanded.