Trowbridge man who 'strangled, bit, and hit' former partner jailed
A man from Trowbridge who bit, strangled, and hit his former partner has been jailed.
Joshua Whittaker assaulted his former partner at a friend’s house on 3 October, and again while on bail on 20 October.
The 31-year-old, of Jenkins Street, pleaded guilty to two charges - non-fatal strangulation and actual bodily harm (ABH) - at Salisbury Crown Court on Thursday 9 January.
He was jailed for 33 months and given a five-year restraining order.
‘Every week I’ve been getting black eyes’ - victim
In a statement read out in court, Whittaker’s victim said: “Every week, I’ve been getting hit and getting back eyes. (It’s) affecting me and mental health.
“I don’t want to take it anymore. I want it to stop. I want it to end. I want the man out of my life.
“Not seeing my children due to the black eyes…can’t go and pick her up from school due to the black eyes, so I have to cancel. It’s happening too often. I’m letting my children down - they mean everything to me.”
Investigating Officer PC Hayden Baker, from Avon and Somerset Police, praised the victim’s bravery and strength of character.
He said: "I'd like to thank the victim for her incredible bravery in coming forward and providing crucial evidence so that we could get the sentence for her.
"The incidents were incredibly distressing and traumatic for her and I hope the sentence can now help her to move forward with her life.
"I hope this provides reassurance that the police can and will pursue all avenues to get justice for victims and will investigate these crimes thoroughly."
If you have been the victim of domestic abuse, or affected by any issues in this report, here are some organisations which may be helpful.