Crime
Peterborough: Man chokes girlfriend and nearly strangles her over sex row
A man attacked his girlfriend and choked her until she lost consciousness, a court heard.
Piotr Kowalczyk, 25, became angry and violent on 16 December after his partner declined sex.
He grabbed the woman’s hair and strangled her with such force that she passed out.
When she came to, Kowalczyk was slapping her.
The woman tried to run out of the room, but he grabbed her hair and dragged her to the kitchen, ripping out some hair, Peterborough Crown Court was told.
“An assault by Piotr Kowalczyk (above) left his girlfriend incredibly frightened in her own home and no-one should ever be made to feel that way” said police.
Kowalczyk threatened her and continued the attack by punching, kicking and headbutting her.
Eventually the violence subsided, and the woman called police the following day when Kowalczyk had left her Peterborough flat.
Police visited her home and found her covered in bruising.
Kowalczyk, of no fixed address, was arrested but denied any offences.
However, he later pleaded guilty to charges including intentional strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).
In committing the offences, he had also breached a community order.
Kowalczyk was jailed for 18 months and given a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim in any way at Peterborough Crown Court on Wednesday (1 March).
DC Jake Owen, who investigated, said: “Under legislation that came in last year, domestic abusers who strangle their partners to control them or induce fear face up to five years in prison.
“Kowalczyk’s assault left his girlfriend incredibly frightened in her own home and no-one should ever be made to feel that way. Domestic abuse is never acceptable and there is no excuse.
“Tackling domestic abuse is a top priority and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep victims safe.”
Anyone who is suffering from any form of domestic abuse is urged to reach out for support. More information and advice can be found on the force’s dedicated web page.
