Mansfield drunk told partner ‘I’ll put you to sleep’ before strangling and suffocating her

Paul Shepherd accused the woman of cheating on him before strangling her from behind and then clamping his hand over her mouth and nose so she couldn't breathe, at his home on New Year's Eve, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Thomas Welshman, prosecuting, said the ordeal lasted about 10 minutes and at times his victim could not breathe.

Mr Welshman said: “She waited hours for him to go to the shops so she could leave, but on March 29, she invited him to her home in Hucknall to talk about their relationship.

A verbal argument ensued and the police were called. He was removed but returned in the early hours, and, after a second argument, became angry.

Shepherd, aged 36, hurled a plate, and other objects, which hit her cheekbone, then covered her mouth and nose so she struggled to breathe.

She finally got away and ran topless from the house, terrified for her life. She was left with cuts, bruises and swelling, and said she is “still in a lot of pain from what happened”.

In a statement, she said: “I am worried about what he will do on his release. I cannot stop dreaming about suffocation. I am constantly on edge.”

The court heard Shepherd has nine previous convictions for 10 offences. In 2018 he demanded money and food from a former partner and threatened to slit her throat, while in 2014, he punched and cut another ex-partner with a knife and threatened to slit her throat.

Shepherd, of Howard Road, Mansfield, admitted intentional strangulation, suffocation, threats to kill and assault.

Steve Gosnell, mitigating, said Shepherd felt “emotional and embarrassed about his actions” and “terrible about what he had done to the victim".

The court heard there was a “fair amount of victim-blaming” in Shepherd’s probation report, but “he took responsibility for the offences at the earliest opportunity.”

Jailing him, Judge Steven Coupland told Shepherd: “Drink magnifies the worst parts of your character. You’re a nasty drunk against a background of jealousy.”

Shepherd was jailed for three years and three months, and a 10-year restraining order was imposed.

Scary experience

PC Chelsea Seals, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This must have been an incredibly scary experience for the woman, who was seemingly assaulted for no reason at all.

“Shepherd’s display of violence was completely uncalled for, while his decision to try and strangle and suffocate his victim could’ve left her with serious injuries, had she not managed to escape.

“I am pleased Shepherd has now been forced to own up to what he did in court and that he will now face punishment for his actions.

“Nottinghamshire Police simply will not tolerate this kind of aggressive behaviour and will always thoroughly investigate all reports we receive of violence against women.

“It is incredibly important that anyone who is going through this kind of abuse feels able to reach out to us, whether directly or through someone else, so that we can help.

“The police are here to support, so please, if you or someone else is in danger, call 999 immediately.”

Dialling 55 after calling 999 takes you through to a silent call service, whereby call handlers will give you specific directions on how to report your emergency.

Support is also available via the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline number - run by Refuge – on 0808 200 0247 and online at nationaldahelpline.org.uk

For more information on domestic abuse, including ways to report and organisations which can help you, visit shorturl.at/eGMT4