A man who strangled and headbutted his former partner after entering her home uninvited has been given an immediate 18-month prison sentence.
Jordan Armstrong, 27, and the woman had been in a relationship which lasted just over 12 months until June 2022, when they split due to him going on benders, Carlisle Crown Court heard.
Yet they remained on good terms and the woman was left shocked and surprised by what happened on the evening of August 26 this year.
As she entertained a neighbour and her 16-year-old son, Armstrong walked into her kitchen uninvited and appeared drunk and angry.
He was repeatedly asked to leave after making a number of nasty comments about her, prompting the neighbour to leave to try and summon help.
Armstrong then lunged at his ex-partner, grabbing her windpipe with his right hand and taking her in a choke hold, causing pain and leaving her struggling to breathe. The teenager tried to intervene, but then feared he would also be assaulted when he saw Armstrong clench his fist.
“The defendant then headbutted (the woman) five times,” said prosecutor David Ball. “She had a painful windpipe and a painful forehead and jaw with bruising and swelling to her right eyebrow.”
In an impact statement she admitted the unprovoked assault on her was “hard to process” as Armstrong had never been violent towards her before.
Armstrong, of Whitehaven, admitted strangulation and assaults on the woman and teenager. He had made no comment when interviewed by police.
Jailing Armstrong today, Judge Michael Fanning told him: “This is domestic violence. It is the more serious for that. It is a breach of trust.”
