A bad-tempered argument about money turned nasty when an angry husband suddenly lashed out at his wife, pinned her to the kitchen floor and started “ragging her back and forward” after grabbing her around her throat. Father-of-six Julias March demanded that she give him his money back because he needed it for his work and for food.
She had earlier taken some coins from his wallet for their children, Hull Crown Court heard. March, 54, of Main Street, Welwick, admitted assaulting his wife, causing actual bodily harm, on March 30.
Ian Howard, prosecuting, told the court that an argument broke out in the kitchen between March and his wife over money. She had earlier seen his wallet with some money inside it and she had taken some coins to give to their children.
He had taken some sleeping tablets and seemed to be confused. He got out of bed, became angry and demanded his money back. He told her: “Give me my f***ing money now. I want my money. I have no money for food. I want 40 quid now. Give me 40 quid and I’m gone.”
March became angry and hit her with an open palm punch of his hand. She said: “Get off me.” He demanded his money back. She tried to defend herself and he pinned her to the floor and grabbed her with both hands around her throat and squeezed hard.
“She was frightened and she couldn’t breathe,” said Mr Howard. “She locked him out of the house.” The woman had a bruise on her hand and reddening to her neck. Police were alerted and March was arrested. March became agitated and he was later interviewed. The assault had been seen on CCTV pictures.
“He said it was wrong for him to go off like that,” said Mr Howard. March denied grabbing his wife’s neck and claimed that he just pushed and slapped her. He had convictions for 11 previous offences, including one for violence in 1988, but his most recent conviction was in 2008.
Benjamin Donnell, mitigating, said that the strangulation part of the incident lasted for only a couple of seconds and it was a “ragging back and forward” than anything more serious. The assault was very brief.
“That footage was most unpleasant to watch and can’t be justified,” said Mr Donnell. “The defendant, having seen the consequences of his actions, certainly recognises that this can’t happen again. The defendant has remained offence-free for 17 years.”
March had, in the past, used heroin but he had managed to stop doing this and was now on methadone. He had avoided relapsing into heroin use again. He was receiving the help that he needed for anger management and he was a low risk of reoffending.
Recorder Christopher Williams said that the assault did not appear to have caused March’s wife any “consternation” and she “stood her ground” during the incident. “Domestic abuse causes these courts considerable concern,” said Recorder Williams.
March was given a 30-week suspended prison sentence and 20 days’ rehabilitation. He was ordered to pay a £187 victims’ surcharge.