A father from the West Midlands has been handed a suspended prison sentence after a drunken Christmas Eve attack on his own daughter turned a family holiday into what a judge described as a "violent Christmas from hell".
Christmas Celebration Turns Violent
David Treadwell, 59, from Tipton, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation following the incident on December 24, 2024. The court heard the family was staying at a holiday cottage in Oakamoor, Staffordshire Moorlands, when the violence erupted around 10pm.
The altercation began as an argument over childcare responsibilities. Treadwell, who had consumed approximately 15 cans of beer, claimed his daughter was taking advantage of her mother. When his daughter challenged him, the situation escalated dramatically.
A Sustained and Terrifying Assault
After his daughter threw a beer can at him, Treadwell retaliated by throwing a dog bowl, which missed but soaked her. He then pushed her before punching her in the face with a clenched fist, causing a significant black eye.
The assault intensified as Treadwell forced his daughter to the floor and gripped her neck, strangling her for at least 30 seconds and impeding her breathing. During the attack, he chillingly asked both his wife and daughter, "Do you both want to die tonight?" His victim later told the court she feared for her life and thought of her children. The violence only ceased when Treadwell's wife intervened to pull him away.
Judgment and Consequences
At the sentencing hearing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on December 26, 2025, Recorder Robert Smith condemned Treadwell's actions as "horrible, nasty and stupid". He stated that any man who hits a woman is a "coward" and said the defendant had turned the season of goodwill into a nightmare.
Despite the severity of the offences, Treadwell was sentenced to 13 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. The judge considered his prior good character, lack of previous convictions, and display of remorse. The defence argued the behaviour was a "one-off" for a man who had spent 42 years providing for his family.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Treadwell must complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement, pay a £500 fine, and cover £250 in court costs. The judge warned Treadwell he had lost his reputation and good character through his "despicable behaviour" during the drunken outburst.
