Jail for Stockton man who tried to suffocate long-term partner with pillow

Stephen Thompson pinned the woman down then attempted to shove a pillow over her face, telling her: “Once you are dead I am going to go out tomorrow and shoot myself”.

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh told Teesside Crown Court that Thompson also grabbed the woman's throat and used so much force that she was struggling to breathe.

The woman was able to reach across and grab a bedside lamp and hit Thompson with it - but he again grabbed her throat and tried to put the pillow over her face.

She eventually managed to dial 999 and raise the alarm. The court had heard how Thompson, who admitted threats to kill and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, had repeatedly accused his partner of cheating.

Both defendant and complainant had been drinking prior to the incident at their home on October 16 last year.

Thompson, 53, of Collins Avenue, Stockton, repeatedly shook his head as Ms Haigh detailed the Crown's version of events.

He had previously been convicted of assault and possession of a shotgun with intent to cause the woman fear of violence.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said she feared she was going to die.

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, said Thompson had reformed his behaviour, but still drank heavily on occasions.

“It was a moment of drunken madness which deprived him of the judgement he had been exercising during the past two years of domestic calm.”

The defendant, he said, now acknowledged the relationship was over.

Judge Howard Crowson said there had been a number of aggravating features to the assault including the ongoing effect on the victim and Thompson's previous convictions.

He said: “It was a very sustained incident. While her injuries were relatively modest, you had quite a decent grip on her throat and you also tried to push a pillow over her face.”

He jailed him for 21 months and made him subject to a restraining order which means he cannot communicate with the victim except through a solicitor.