Joshua James Hunt, who was the first person in the country to be convicted of non-fatal strangulation, has avoided an immediate prison sentence.
Non-fatal strangulation became an offence in its own right, separate to assault, on 7th June this year, under section 70 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
26-year-old Hunt, of no fixed abode, admitted harassment via a breach of a restraining order and intentional strangulation when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on 23rd June.
The court heard that at around 23:50 on 17th June this year, Hunt grabbed a woman by the throat in the Little London area of Newport. The woman also sustained bruising to her arms as a result of the assault. She attempted to free herself from Hunt’s grip, and he let go when he noticed a number of members of the public were around, on their way home from the Isle of Wight Festival.
He then proceeded to strangle the woman again to the point she could not breathe, before 3 members of the public approached the couple and the Police were called.
Hunt was arrested and subsequently charged with non-fatal strangulation and breach of a restraining order.
Appearing at the Crown Court today, Hunt was given an 18-month custodial sentence, suspended for 2 years. He was also ordered to attend 20 rehabilitation days and was given a 6-month alcohol treatment requirement.
This man did not evade jail. He was given a totally inadequate sentence.
He may well have killed this woman had no one intervened.
The justice system is broken. What a lawless society we are leaving for our children and grandchildren
The government need to get a grip before it’s too late .
excuse the pun
The gap between what the average person in the street and the judiciary considers suitable punishment grows wider by the day, reardless of mitigation we have a person who has no respect for the law by ignoring a restraining order and whilst doing so decided to strangle someone. Heaven forbid he actually achieves his aim next time round, will the judge resign , will he be taken to court for criminal neglect, I dont think so. Unless people have faith in the law and subsquent consequences we will revert to a wild west scenario where people carry out their own form of justice.
This is clearly a prisonable offence, clearly he gave no thought to the woman and the Court’s have not either. If he commits another life changing offence to someone then this judge should also be held responsible. How is it time and time again Court’s make monumental mistakes and are never held to account? Yet Police, Probation, Health etc are ?. This poor woman could of died and must be so frightened and traumatized,yet he gets same as shop lifter.
The Government need to give our judiciary more power to impose heavier sentences , but they need to us them too. Criminals are laughing at the law, and I have no sympathy for the striking barristers who will by their actions slow down the court processes and impede justice further. They may feel underpaid, but now is not the time to strike, they are not on the breadline and can supplement their work with private clients.
If the reticence to jail people is in part due to shortage of jails, then build more, which in turn will create jobs and boost the economy. The prison officer jobs created would also boost the economy. Let’s do it.
So now we have to wait for him to actually murder someone before he is detained, and 6 months treatment for alcohol abuse – really! Hope the woman he tried to kill is happy with this outcome, I know I wouldn’t be.
Surely some men friends in her life will talk to this person ? If that were anyone close to me, I would.
WTF????? I’ve lost all confidence in the system now, this is an outrageous outcome for the victim.
Shouldn’t this be attempted murder or at the very least actual bodily harm.
This new offence comes over as a backwards step and a vindication for the men who prey on women.
A similar case in lincolnshire this week resulted in a 34 month prison sentence which seems more suitable for such an offence
With our justice system, its no wonder this country is becoming lawless.
Discusting another criminal let off