A man is thought to be the first Swindonian to be convicted of a new intentional strangulation law, which only came into force in June.
Levi Robert Iles, 24, pleaded guilty to numerous violent crimes – including throttling his grandmother – at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 27 July.
The defendant, who gave his care-of address as Addison Crescent, was jailed for ten months for a series of offences between January and July this year.
In one incident, he put a knife towards his grandmother before spitting on their pet tortoise and hitting his grandfather. In another, he repeatedly strangled her.
The accepted charges included five assaults (including one of intentional strangulation), two counts of criminal damage, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision, failing to report a road traffic collision, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
READ MORE: Swindon man, 24, strangled grandma, thumped grandad and spat on tortoise
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 came into force – bringing about new legislation, including the specific offence of non-fatal strangulation – on 7 June.
Iles is understood to be the first person from Swindon to be convicted of the crime.
The Crown Prosecution Service’s lead for domestic abuse prosecutions Kate Brown said: “Protecting victims from these ‘hidden harms’ is paramount.
“Sadly, because this type of offending may leave no physical mark the serious nature of it has not always been appreciated.
“We understand the devastating life-long effects domestic abuse can have on victims. The welcomed new legislation will mean prosecutors and investigators have more charging powers to protect victims and their families from all-too-often repeat offending.
“Our prosecutors are determined to see justice done in every possible case, and where there is sufficient evidence and our legal test is met, we won’t hesitate to prosecute.
“We are developing training for prosecutors to ensure the offences are properly identified from the outset.”
