The father strangled the ex when he asked him to take his daughter to school

A man with a history of domestic violence strangled his ex-partner during a heated argument when his mother was involved, a court heard. Nathan Abbot, 32, was due to stand trial at Truro Crown Court today (Monday 20 May) in connection with an incident at his mother’s home.

On the first day of what was scheduled to be a three-day trial, he pleaded guilty to one charge of intentionally strangling his former partner, the mother of his two children. At an earlier hearing at the Magistrates Court, he also pleaded guilty to breaching a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting her following a previous attack on her in December 2022.

Katie Churcher, prosecuting, told the court that on this occasion in November last year, Abbot’s ex-partner stayed at his mother’s home in Hayle – which they both agreed to despite the restraining order being in place – because she needed more help and support with the children. .

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It was heard that she asked him to take her daughter to school as she had to take her son to Penzance for an eye appointment. He became frustrated and started banging the cupboard doors in the kitchen and even kicked the bin in anger. As his former partner decided to leave the property, Abbot’s mother grabbed her arm.

An argument ensued between the two when Abbot, of Harvey’s Way in Hayle, grabbed his ex by the throat for 30 seconds and headbutted her. Ms Churcher told the court Abbot’s victim tried to fight him. He eventually let go and she was able to leave the property. The police were called and Abbot was arrested and taken into custody for violating his restraining order, even though it was his mother’s house and the two parties agreed to meet there.

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The court was told Abbot has three previous convictions for six offences, including assaulting his ex-partner and throwing a glass at his own grandfather and grabbing another ex-partner by the throat and putting his hand over her mouth.

Althea Brooks, defending, said the incident happened while Abbot was under immense stress from a recent death after losing a newborn daughter with another partner just days before the incident in November. Ms Brooks told the court there were four adults and two children in the house at the time and tension was high while he has autism and has difficulty coping with crowded spaces and noisy situations.

“He was trying to assist but the tension escalated and went on, which explains but doesn’t excuse what happened,” Ms Brooks said. “There was extreme pressure in a stressful home.”

She also said Abbot was trying to maintain contact with his son from another relationship because there were fears the boy might be taken into foster care, which Ms Brooks said added to the tension and stress. She told the court that Abbot had been a model prisoner while on remand, getting involved in all the responsible jobs on offer.

Reporter Christopher Quinlan, KC, said the November incident was aggravated by the fact it took place in a domestic setting with children present and Abbot had a history of similar violence and breached a restraining order.

Sentencing Abbot to 27 months in prison (the six months he spent on remand will count towards this), Recorder Quinlan said: “There was an argument between you and your ex-partner. Your mother was involved. You took exception to what your ex did. your mother’s partner said and your argument turned violent and you grabbed her neck and held her head for 30 seconds.

“She tried to fight you and you resisted her attempt. Strangulation creates a real fear of death. You have a history of violence against previous partners. Children were present and I find that strangulation was sustained on this occasion.

“I consider your personal difficulties. In December your ex-partner wrote a letter on your behalf in which he did not see himself as a victim, but he was. He was not the first victim at your hands.”