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18
Feb
Man who waited at ex-partner's home to violently attack her jailed
A man has been jailed for violently attacking his ex-partner after she returned home from a night out in Harrogate last year.
Christian Mercer, 36, waited at the woman's home before strangling and assaulting her.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the woman had been out with friends in Harrogate on the evening of May 3, when she bumped into Mercer.
The defendant acted as though they were still a couple when he saw his ex-partner, despite their relationship having broken down.
When the victim confirmed they were no longer together, Mercer became angry and called the woman “pathetic” and “embarrassing”.
The victim returned home at around 3am the following morning. Unknown to her, Mercer was lying in wait to attack her.
According to the CPS, Mercer, believed to formerly live in Harrogate but now living on Selby Road in Leeds, subjected the victim to a “terrifying ordeal” during which he put her in a headlock, overpowered her and strangled her.
The woman struggled to breathe as he applied pressure to her neck.
Mercer then punched her in the arm and leg, as well as kicked her in the stomach.
The CPS told the Stray Ferret:
Our prosecutors reviewed an extensive file of evidence including photos of the victim’s injuries as well as the victim’s impact statement.
There were several aggravating factors in this case, including the fact that the offence was committed in a domestic abuse context, and the victim was isolated and unable to seek assistance.
Mercer, who is understood to have set up an app for people with HIV, was later charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm and one count of intentional strangulation.
He found guilty on October 6 last year following a six-day trial and was sentenced at York Crown Court last Friday (February 13).
Mercer was ordered to spend three years and two months behind bars, and was made subject to a 15-year restraining order.
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