Domestic abuser jailed for intentional strangulation of woman

A domestic abuser who attempted to strangle a woman has been jailed.

Thomas Taylor, 30, left the victim, a woman known to him, in fear over his actions.

He strangled her, and threatened to disclose private intimate images in an effort to control her.

The victim came forward and reported her experience to Sussex Police. 

Taylor was arrested and charged, but continued to try to intimidate the victim while on remand in prison.

She said: “I am still impacted by the trauma he caused and the ongoing fear of what he will do next.”

At Lewes Crown Court on 21 November, Taylor was sentenced for intentional strangulation, witness intimidation, and for threatening to disclose a private photograph or film in an intimate setting.

He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, and will serve an additional three years on licence because of dangerousness.

This means he will not be automatically released half way through his sentence on licence, but will instead only be able to apply for parole after serving two thirds of his sentence.

If granted parole, he will remain on licence to serve the remainder of his sentence for an additional three years.

Taylor, of West Court Place, Broadwater, was found guilty of intentional strangulation after a trial in September this year. He admitted the second charge of threatening to disclose a private photograph or film of a person in an intimate setting.

The victim said Taylor committed the offences after consuming drugs such as cocaine.

The victim said: “His behaviour became more volatile, frightening and dangerous over time.

“I lived in a constant state of alert, afraid of how he would act, what he was planning to do, and who he was going to terrorise next because it wasn’t always me, but it would be my fault somehow due to his cocaine-fuelled delusions.

“I am still impacted by the trauma he caused and the ongoing fear of what he will do next.”

Taylor has been made the subject of a restraining order that prevents him contacting the victim, and the order lasts until 2040.

Speaking after the case, Investigator Lucy Davison said: “I would like to thank the victim for her courage in coming forward to report these offences.

“We take reports of domestic abuse and violence extremely seriously, and we were determined to get justice for the victim in this case.

“Taylor is a dangerous individual, and this is reflected in the extended sentence passed by the court.”

Last month Sussex Police launched a survey to help improve the way the force responds to incidents of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The new VAWG Survey seeks honest feedback from women and girls on their perceptions of safety in public spaces and opened on 18 November, running for five weeks.

Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna said: “We are committed to protecting women and girls and bringing perpetrators to justice, and this area remains a priority for Sussex Police.

“Much of our work in this area has been recognised nationally as best practice and, we’re getting better outcomes for victims.

“Every report of violence against women and girls is one too many, and we need to continue this dialogue both to show our communities we are listening, and to ensure our plans are informed by their feedback. The insight we gain from women and girls is incredibly valuable, and we know it takes courage to share.

“The results of our third consultation will continue to inform our approach and we thank the public in advance for their support in completing and sharing the survey.”