Bournemouth man jailed for strangling girlfriend in assault

Thomas Michael Smith was found guilty of a single charge of assaulting his then partner thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.

The incident took place on a night in Bournemouth between July 18, 2021, and July 21, 2021.

Smith, aged 37 and of Charminster Avenue, Bournemouth, appeared in the dock for sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, January 5.

Judge William Mousley KC sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment and issued a restraining order.

Thomas Michael Smith, 37 and of Charminster Avenue, Bournemouth (Image: Dorset Police)

The court heard on the night of the incident the defendant got into an argument with the complainant.

Judge Mousley KC said Smith would not accept what he was being told and he became angry.

Addressing the defendant, the judge said: “You grabbed her by the throat and there was therefore an element of strangulation and asphyxiation.”

The woman blacked out but it was not known how long for. She was also punched during the assault, the court heard.

The complainant was too frightened to report Smith to police but she did report what had happened when social services became aware of the incident.

Judge Mousley KC said the impact of the assault was such that the woman moved out of the home.

Prosecuting, Daniel Wright said Smith had 26 previous convictions for 58 offences.

Laura Deuxberry, representing Smith, said the defendant had shown remorse, albeit at a late stage, by making admissions when he was interviewed by a probation officer following his conviction.

Ms Deuxberry said sending the defendant to custody would achieve little in working to address his problems and prevent further offending in the future.

She said a non-immediate prison term could provide punishment through unpaid work, with the suspended sentence hanging over his head as a deterrent.

Several written references speaking of Smith’s good character were presented to the court.

The hearing took place at Bournemouth Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Judge Mousley KC said the probation’s proposed programme requirement might improve the defendant’s prospect of rehabilitation, although this was currently “speculative”.

The judge said the factors against a suspended sentence, including a high risk of reoffending and harm to others, and the seriousness of the offence, outweighed those in favour.