Partner throttled

Engineer Craig Burgess left Samantha Hemming screaming and gasping for breath after he attacked her during a night out.

Magistrates in Droitwich yesterday gave the 22-year-old a conditional discharge after he admitted assault.

The couple had arranged for Burgess's brother-in-law to look after their son, Ieuan, while they went out drinking with friends.

Burgess was to travel to Scotland for a week-long contract and, intending to have an early night, walked home while she stayed at the pub.

But reaching home in St Joseph's Close, Chawson, he panicked when he discovered the babysitter not there.

Not realising his brother-in-law had taken the child to his own house, Burgess returned to the pub to tell Miss Hemming.

The pair began arguing about the situation, with Burgess angry at his partner's apparent lack of concern.

As they walked home, Burgess kicked Miss Hemming twice, both in the left knee and leg.

The attack prompted her to call a friend for help, said Sally Hill, prosecuting.

"The defendant put his hands around her neck and put his fingers around the back of her windpipe," said Miss Hill. "She could not breathe. She tried to scream but couldn't. She was left gasping for air and then began screaming. The defendant ran off towards Barclays Bank."

Miss Hill said a policeman walking the opposite way spotted Miss Hemming crying and pressed her to explain what had happened.

Miss Hill said Miss Hemming had since tried to withdraw the charges, but the Crown had decided to press ahead regardless.

Dale Sheehan, defending, said Burgess could not recall the attack on Sunday, May 6, but had accepted it happened to spare his partner the ordeal of a trial.

"He panicked, went back to the pub where his girlfriend was and felt she portrayed a very ambivalent attitude," said Mr Sheehan.

"Mr Burgess got angry. He felt she did not care about their child."

Mr Sheehan said the couple had been reconciled since the attack.

The court ordered £55 costs against Burgess.