The culprit was strangling the woman and said he wasn’t going to leave until she was dead
Joseph Antcliff was convicted at Hull Crown Court(Image: Humberside Police)
A violent bully who was jailed for strangling his “terrified” girlfriend during an “incredibly dangerous” attack has been locked up again after he did the same thing to another woman. Aggressive and bad-tempered Joseph Antcliff was given a two-year prison sentence in April 2023 for the first intentional strangulation offence but he has now been jailed for three years for “doing just that” again to another girlfriend.
In the latest case, another man “bravely” tried to pull him off the victim but Antcliff menacingly warned that he would not be leaving until the woman was dead, Hull Crown Court heard. Antcliff, 29, of Anlaby Park Road South, west Hull, but recently in custody on remand, denied an offence of intentional strangulation on August 24 last year but he was convicted by a jury after a trial.
Marc Luxford, prosecuting, said that Antcliff had been in a relationship with a woman for about a year but it ended just before the violent incident. They went out for drinks and returned to her home in Hull at about 10.30pm.
The boyfriend of the woman’s daughter heard arguing between Antcliff and the woman in the early hours. It continued and the daughter went outside, prompting her boyfriend to follow her. The woman and Antcliff remained inside.
The boyfriend heard the woman screaming for help and he went back inside. He saw Antcliff with his legs straddling the woman and his hands around her neck, strangling her.
He shouted for Antcliff to get off her. In a panic, he grabbed Antcliff from behind and tried to pull him off the woman. They both fell but, despite falling, Antcliff did not loosen his grip around the woman’s neck.
Antcliff said: “I’m not leaving until she is dead.” The boyfriend punched Antcliff three or four times, causing injuries to him and leaving him briefly unconscious.
He stopped when he saw that Antcliff was bleeding and that he had let go of the victim. The police arrived and Antcliff was arrested.
The woman suffered significant swelling to the side of her face and marks on her neck, consistent with strangulation. Antcliff claimed during interview that he did not use any unlawful violence, although he admitted arguing with the woman.
The boyfriend went voluntarily to Clough Road police station, Hull, where police decided not to charge him with any offences because of Antcliff’s behaviour. Antcliff had convictions for four previous offences.
Jane Rapin, mitigating, said that Antcliff had shown remorse. “He fully accepts the verdict of the jury and he will serve his sentence with good grace,” said Miss Rapin.
Antcliff had enhanced prisoner status while in custody and he was a cleaner in the prison. “He is also trusted to help when an extra pair of hands is needed,” said Miss Rapin.
Antcliff had a positive attitude towards rehabilitation. There were references for him and he was regarded as kind, caring, compassionate and reliable. “He is grateful for the love and support of his family,” said Miss Rapin.
Judge John Thackray KC told Antcliff: “Not for the first time, you reacted very badly to the ending of a relationship and you put your hands around the throat of your victim. You have got a conviction for doing just that in similar circumstances.
“Your victim was entitled to feel safe and secure in your company. She must have been terrified. You were convicted after the young man who bravely tried to stop you committing this offence or brought it to an end gave evidence against you.
“He bravely became involved when he became aware that you had your hands around her throat and she was screaming for help. That didn’t prevent you from continuing the attack, again with your hands around her throat.
“He was compelled to use force to pull you away and, when that didn’t work, to punch you on several occasions. That was extremely brave of him, first to get involved and then to punch you to stop you restricting the breathing of your victim.”
The man had been recommended for commendation by Humberside Police’s Chief Constable for his actions, the court heard.
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