AN abusive boyfriend punched then tried to strangle his partner, putting his fingers down her throat until she could not breathe then hid under the bed when police arrived.

Adam Lee was told by Worcester's top judge that he would be failing in his public duty if he did not send the 22-year-old immediately to jail when he appeared before him at the city's crown court.

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Not only was the father-of-two on a suspended sentence for chasing people with a knife but he was also on a community order at the time for an assault upon the same victim. He complained that his partner's parents 'didn't like him'.

Lee of Court Road , Malvern, has now been banned from seeing his partner of five years or going to her address in Watkins Way, Malvern as part of a restraining order.

Worcester News:

JAILED: Adam Lee. Photo: West Mercia Police

 

The defendant, who had his belongings in a carrier bag, had already admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his partner when he appeared before magistrates in Kidderminster on January 10.

Callum Church, prosecuting, said Lee had left the house after an argument with his partner on January 9, taking the only key to the property with him. When he changed his mind and returned around 45 minutes later, Lee discovered that his partner had put the chain across the door.

Worcester News:

MESSAGE: Judge James Burbidge QC said immediate custody was the only outcome.

 

However, he was able to remove the chain and when he entered the house another argument ensued. Lee was described as being 'aggressive' and shouting at the complainant.

"During the assault he punched her with both fists to the head, causing pain in that area. He covered her mouth with his hands to the point where she couldn't breathe. He put his fingers down her throat in an attempt to stop her breathing" said Mr Church.

The complainant was able to contact her sister who called the police who arrived at the house just before 4am.

She was described as being 'emotional' and 'distressed' when they arrived. "She was able to point out the room in which the defendant was hiding under the bed" said Mr Church.

Her injuries included a scratch to her right eye, bruising to her hands, face and neck and a cut to the inside of her lip.

Lee had three previous convictions including a battery against the same complainant from November 2020.

We reported at the time how Lee and his partner had been 'calling each other names' on October 30, 2020 when the defendant has 'proceeded to take a phone charger and has whipped the legs of the complainant, causing visible marks and pain to her'.

He was handed a suspended prison sentence in November last year for having a knife in a public place - only six weeks before the attack on his partner.

Mark Sheward, defending, said the complainant had not been willing to come to court and give evidence against Lee.

"But he accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty" said the Worcester solicitor.

He added: "Their relationship was difficult because her parents didn't like him and they would seek to persuade her to leave him. They told her he wasn't good enough for her."

Mr Sheward explained that the suspended sentence was imposed when Lee had agreed to buy an Xbox which 'wasn't operative' and that he explained he did not want it any more. However, men came to his house and 'made threats', telling him he must pay for it.

"He accepts that he got a knife from the kitchen and chased them away" he said.

Judge James Burbidge QC jailed Lee for 12 months - 10 months for the ABH and two months consecutive activated from the suspended sentence. He had also spent 32 bail days on qualifying curfew which means half this - 16 days - will be deducted from the time he serves.

Lee was told he can expect to serve half his sentence in custody and the the remaining half on licence in the community.