He threatened to kill her and other family members if she went to the police
Sean Power appeared at Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A “toxic” relationship suddenly turned violent when a bad-tempered bully strangled his pregnant girlfriend during a heated argument – and threatened to kill her if she went to the police. The woman struggled to breathe during the “terrifying” confrontation after it “escalated” out of control, Hull Crown Court heard.
Sean Power, 34, formerly of Acasta Way, off Marfleet Lane, east Hull, but now of Bridlington, admitted intentional strangulation on May 8, 2024. A charge of using controlling or coercive behaviour was dropped.
Benjamin Weeks, prosecuting, said that Power and the woman met online in August 2022 and they later started living together. The woman became pregnant with his child in December 2023.
An argument broke out in the living room of her home and it escalated. Power put one or both of his hands around the woman’s neck and squeezed to the point where she struggled to breathe.
“She was six months pregnant at the time,” said Mr Weeks. “It was a fleeting incident.” Power threatened her that, if she went to the police, he would kill her and other family members.
The couple separated but continued to live together. He was later arrested and he claimed that the only time that he put his hands around her neck was during sexual activity.
Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that the woman was insecure in the relationship and she repeatedly checked up on Power and where he was but he sometimes cheated on her. “This was a toxic relationship going both ways,” said Miss Scott.
Power had shown remorse for his behaviour and he had no previous convictions. “He made no attempt to minimise his behaviour at all,” said Miss Scott.
He had moved to a new area, with a flat in Bridlington, and he had been working full-time as a production supervisor for a food warehouse. He was due to start a new job shortly and he had two daughters.
Judge John Thackray KC told Power: “This was a serious offence. It must be terrifying for a woman to have a man with his hand or hands round her throat, not knowing when it’s going to end. She was six months pregnant at the time.
“It was quite fleeting. It was literally only a few seconds but, I repeat, it must have been absolutely terrifying, fleeting or not. You made a threat about her reporting it.”
Power was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 180 hours unpaid work and 12 days’ rehabilitation. He was given a five-year restraining order and he must pay a £187 victims’ surcharge.
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