A father who throttled his ex-girlfriend and threatened to kill her during a row over a passport has avoided a jail sentence. Matthew Mills, 43, lunged at the woman and strangled her, leaving her with a sore and tender throat that caused pain when breathing.
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that Mills lost his temper on May 7, 2023. Prosecutor Helen Shipley said the victim had gone to pick up her child from Mills and parked outside his address to minimize interaction. The pair had argued earlier that day over the victim's passport, which she believed Mills had in his possession.
During the argument, Mills threatened to kill the victim, and she responded "just do it." He then lunged at her, saying, "If you threaten me again I'll f*****g kill you." The victim said she was terrified and could not breathe.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said she was made to feel "a shadow of my former self" and had sought therapeutic help to deal with anxiety.
Andrew Turnock, defending, said Mills was working to address his anger issues and had begun working with the probation service voluntarily. He noted that the grabbing of the throat lasted only two to three seconds and that Mills was ashamed and remorseful.
Mills, of Langdale Road, Clayton, admitted intentional strangulation. He was handed a two-year community order with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 60 days unpaid work. He also received a two-year restraining order and was ordered to pay £514 costs.
Sentencing, District Judge Vee Monro told Mills: "You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself."
