Darren Hudson, 37, of Sandwell, has been jailed for three years after forcing his vulnerable partner to smoke crack cocaine and strangling her until she lost consciousness. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Hudson met his victim on Facebook five years ago before moving in and beginning a campaign of controlling behaviour.
Campaign of Control and Violence
The court was told that Hudson took over his partner's bank account and spent her money on alcohol and drugs. He "constantly shouted at her, wouldn't let her eat with her children," according to prosecutor Philip Vollans. As a result, the woman's children were forced to move in with their father.
Hudson forced his partner to smoke crack cocaine, telling her to "sit on the floor" before preparing the drug in his pipe. "She reported feeling horrible and scared, she'd never smoked it before," Vollans said.
Strangulation and Hammer Attack
After forcing her to take the drug, Hudson followed his victim to her bedroom where he repeatedly punched her in the face and head. He then strangled her with both hands around her neck until "she described everything going dark."
In a separate incident, Hudson approached a man outside his workplace wielding a hammer, which he started "swinging towards him" in what the judge described as a "bizarre" attack.
Sentencing and Restraining Order
Hudson pleaded guilty to multiple charges including intentional strangulation, assault by beating, and administering a noxious substance. He was sentenced to 36 months in prison and made subject to a restraining order.
