Bolton man strangled woman on Christmas Day before setting fire to chiminea
Simon Nicholson, 35, put his hands around the woman’s neck to the point where she could not breathe.
Bolton Crown Court heard how Nicholson, of Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, also set alight a chiminea and painted a sexist slur on her window.
He was brought before the court on Tuesday, February 18 to be sentenced for the offences.
On Christmas Day 2023, the defendant and the victim, who he knew, were at her home.
Prosecuting, Tom Farr said: “He followed her into a downstairs bathroom and strangled her in a rear chokehold, she was unable to speak or breathe.
“She was aware of his background in Jiu Jitsu and was scared that she would become unconscious.
“This was witnessed by the child of the victim. The victim escaped and was then caught by the defendant, who grabbed her by the throat, causing her to fall backwards onto the floor.”
Later that evening he sent her a message, showing that he had painted the word “s**g” on her window.
He also set fire to a chiminea belonging to her.
The victim said that she suffered with anxiety and panic attacks following the attack.
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Nicholson had no previous convictions.
He previously pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, arson, sending an offensive/indecent/obscene/menacing message and criminal damage.
Defending, Tara Riley said: “Mr Nicholson is alive to the fact that he may have to serve a custodial sentence.
“He will abide by any condition the court deems appropriate.”
She also read out a statement from a member of staff at the Jiu Jitsu gym Nicholson practices at, who described him as a “friendly, warm and caring person” who is “helpful to everyone”.
Concluding, Judge Martin Walsh said: “On Christmas Day, 2023, you strangled the victim, it was a serious act of violence perpetrated by you against her, aggravated as it was witnessed by a young child who must have been traumatised by what took place.
“The circumstances could have been catastrophic.”
He said that, despite the offences passing the custodial threshold, Nicholson’s lack of previous offending and his remorse “just about” persuaded him to suspend the sentence.
Judge Walsh gave him a sentence of 20 months, suspended for two years.
In addition Nicholson was handed a six-month alcohol treatment requirement, as well as being ordered to apprenticeship program sessions and rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Source – INDIA TV
