She described it as ‘one of the most frightening experiences I have ever endured’, a court heard
Cameron Tyson, pictured outside Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A terrified woman feared that she was going to die when her enraged and aggressive boyfriend suddenly started strangling her after a heated argument turned violent. She later said that it was “one of the most frightening experiences I have ever endured” and she had suffered “lasting psychological trauma” from it, Hull Crown Court heard.
Cameron Tyson, 31, of Southcoates Lane, east Hull, admitted an offence of intentional strangulation on December 5, 2024. He originally denied the matter and was due to face a trial but he changed his plea.
Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, prosecuting, said that the couple were in a relationship but it was, at times, unstable and there were arguments, particularly over trust and fidelity. Tyson raised an issue over the woman’s behaviour during a time when they were apart and he confronted her about her involvement with another man.
There was an argument and Tyson drank vodka and became increasingly agitated. He started shouting and told her to leave. She needed to gather her belongings but the confrontation escalated and Tyson pushed her, causing her to fall where there was some broken glass.
Tyson continued to be aggressive and there was a struggle between them. He continued to shout and followed the woman upstairs. In a bedroom, he pushed her onto a bed, got on top of her and put his hand around her neck.
“The defendant applied pressure to her neck for a sustained period,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan. “She struggled to breathe and she told the defendant she couldn’t breathe.
“He continued to shout at her. He only released his grip after she told him she was unable to breathe. She remained in a distressed state in the address.”
Tyson was arrested at about 11pm that night. He denied strangling her. The woman later said: “During the incident, I was subjected to being strangled.
“Strangulation is one of the most frightening experiences I have ever endured. I genuinely believed that I could have died if he didn’t stop in those moments.
“I am struggling to cope with it. I have lost my sense of safety. This incident has always affected my confidence and ability to trust others.
“The emotional toll has extended into my daily life. This experience has changed how I live my life.” She had suffered “lasting psychological trauma”.
Holly Thompson, mitigating, said that Tyson acted entirely out of character, he had no previous convictions and he was working. “He does not make any attempt to minimise the seriousness,” said Miss Thompson.
“He does not present a high risk of reoffending. He was in a dark place at the time that this offence took place. There have been no further offences committed against her or anyone.
“It was a single isolated incident. He expressed remorse for what he did and he said this should not have happened. He is in a new relationship.”
Recorder Bryan Cox KC told Tyson: “I do not underestimate, and nor should you, the impact of your offending upon your victim. The act of strangulation struck a high level of fear in the victim.”
It was “highly dangerous” and the possible consequences were obvious when someone like Tyson lost control. “Behaviour of this sort, especially in a domestic context, is wholly unacceptable,” said Recorder Cox.
“There was a history of aggression in the relationship.”
Tyson was given a one-year suspended prison sentence, 100 hours’ unpaid work and 10 days’ rehabilitation. He was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and a £187 victims’ surcharge and he was given a three-year restraining order.
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