Man sentenced for grabbing ex by her throat

Lee Hutchings grabbed Toni Tattersall by the neck at her Orrell home and dragged her into the living room as she was trying to call the police because he was threatening to kill their dog, Wigan Magistrates Court heard.

He then took her phone outside and repeatedly threw it against an area of concrete paving.

The 31-year-old, of Epsom Avenue, Sale, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage and one of assault by beating.

Nicola Ormerod, prosecuting, said that the pair had been in a relationship for around 17 months and had argued the night before the incident on February 21. She said that Hutchings had left his victim with soreness to her neck and chest and that her four-year-old daughter was also upstairs at the time.

She said: “Ms Tattersall has said that she hates Lee and wants him as far away from her as possible so she can make a fresh start.”

Noel Griffiths, defending, said: “My client has found it extremely difficult to come to terms with the relationship ending and this may go some way to understanding why he reacted like he did.

“He is disgusted with his actions and very sorry for the distress he caused.”

Hutchings was given a 12 month community order with a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs, £100 compensation, £7- to repair the phone and a victim surcharge of £60. He was also handed a restraining order not to contact Ms Tattersall.