A cocaine-fueled husband tried to strangle his wife as she lay in bed while children were in the rooms next door. Scott Pringle had returned from a night out when he suddenly pounced on his partner and grabbed her around the throat.
Incident Description
A court heard that the victim had “difficulty breathing” as she tried in vain to get the 37-year-old to stop. After 30 seconds, Pringle did eventually let go, only to grab her by the throat again moments later, prosecutors said. For about a minute, Pringle held the terrified victim and made threats before she eventually managed to free herself and run out of the house.
Pringle, of West Thorp, Newbiggin Hall, in Newcastle, was arrested and appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to one count of intentional strangulation. Prosecutor, Ruth Forster, said Pringle had returned home after a night out on February 25 this year and was under the influence of cocaine.
Legal Proceedings
He then lay beside his wife in bed before grabbing her around the throat for around 30 seconds. Mrs Forster added: “[The victim] was scared that he was going to significantly hurt her.
“He then let go of her throat and lay down on the bed beside her. He lay in silence then grabbed her throat and again squeezed hard for about one minute, all while shouting abuse and making threats. [The victim] manages to push him off and ran out of the bedroom. He remained in the bedroom, and she ran out of the house.”
Mrs Forster said the case was aggravated by the fact Pringle was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and two children were in the house, although they did not witness the attack. In a statement, the victim said: “I can’t believe Scott would take drugs, let alone attack me.
“This type of thing has never happened before but I do believe he was under the influence of drugs, which has caused him to act in this way.”
The court heard that Pringle, who is in full-time employment, had no previous convictions and had never been violent towards his wife in the past. Rebecca Highton, defending, added: “He’s putting his hands up but can’t even recall the incident but accepts what’s happened.
“He had been out that day. It’s destroyed his life and his family’s life and it’s harmed his wife. He couldn’t be more ashamed of himself. He wanted to come here straight away and admit what he’d done.”
Committing Pringle to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing, District Judge Gary Garland said: “Having heard from Probation, I think this has been a one-off. I think the combination of too much drink and some drugs were a poisonous cocktail for you.
“Because of that combination, something snapped and you have gone a bit mad here. With the best will in the world, I can’t get the sentence down to where I can legitimately and lawfully sentence you here.”
Pringle will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on October 4 for sentencing.
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