A MAN pinned his partner against a wall by the throat while slapping her across the face.

Blackburn magistrates heard the victim was struggling to breathe during the attack by Oscar Hope.

And they agreed with prosecutor James Hudson who cited a recent Court of Appeal ruling which suggested the matter should go to the crown court.

Hope, 26, of Cleveland Street, Colne, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and criminal damage to a curtain pole. He was committed on bail to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court.

Mr Hudson said during a row in her home Hope had grabbed the victim by the throat and pinned her against the wall while slapping her across the face.

“She was struggling to breathe because his hand was around her throat,” said Mr Hudson.  He said Hope was on police bail at the time of the offence with conditions not to contact her and not to attend at her address. There were children in the house at the time of the offence.

“The Court of Appeal has now said that the starting point for intentional strangulation is 18 months in prison,” said Mr Hope. “Some of the aggravating points they put forward are the presence of children, in the victim’s home and under the influence of alcohol.

“All those are present in this case and I submit it is proper to commit this case to the crown court to be sentenced.

Laura Heywood, defending, said it was accepted the case would be sent to the crown court.