A man has been convicted at Lancaster Crown Court in Lancashire of restraining and suffocating a person he was dating. The incident took place at a private home where the victim was held down and had their breathing restricted during a dispute.
The court found the defendant guilty of Section 20 grievous bodily harm (GBH) and the offence of strangulation or suffocation under Section 70 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. These charges were brought after an investigation by Lancashire Constabulary’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Team (DAIT) in late 2025.
According to CPS North West, charges for strangulation and suffocation in the region have risen sharply in recent years. The CPS says the legal changes recognise that blocking someone’s airway is a terrifying tool of control and that a lack of visible bruising does not mean the act is not seriously harmful.
The man is expected to be sentenced by a judge within the next six weeks. The Sentencing Council published specific guidelines for strangulation and suffocation offences (effective 1 January 2025); case law and the guidance make clear that an immediate custodial sentence will ordinarily be appropriate, with an often‑cited starting point used in practice of around 18 months’ custody in many cases.
Local support for residents affected by domestic violence is available through SafeNet, which serves the Lancaster area and offers safety planning and advice for people experiencing abuse in private relationships.
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