Man's chilling five-word threat to woman he met on night out before strangling her

A boozy evening took a sinister turn when a man menacingly told a woman he had just met "I could snap your neck" before throttling her in a "horrifying" attack at her residence.

The pair had only encountered each other that evening whilst out drinking, but the situation deteriorated dramatically when they later returned to her property, Hull Crown Court was told.

Paul Ashurst, 37, of Rothesay Close, off Southcoates Lane, east Hull, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation on August 27, 2023.

He entered his plea on what was meant to be the first day of his trial.

Amber Hobson, prosecuting, explained that the victim had been at a pub in Holderness Road, east Hull, accompanied by her partner and his relatives, reports Hull Live.

Ashurst struck up conversation with her and other members of their party. The groups departed the establishment simultaneously.

"They weren't known to each other," said Miss Hobson."He wasn't in a relationship with her. She was out with someone else."

The intention was to purchase additional alcohol and carry on the evening elsewhere, but following a row with her partner, the woman found herself alone with Ashurst.

They bought some beers and returned to her residence. Once at her property, Ashurst attempted to kiss her, but she rebuffed his advances.

He warned the woman: "I could snap your neck" leaving her terrified, though she tried not to reveal her fear, said Miss Hobson.

The woman telephoned her partner.

Upon returning to the room, Ashurst repeated his threat: "I could snap your neck."

He was positioned on his knees whilst she sat on a bean bag. Ashurst strangled her, but she "clawed at his eyes and nose", causing an injury.

"She ran out and called the police," Miss Hobson stated. A neighbour came to the woman's aid.

The court was informed of Ashurst's previous convictions, which included two assault offences in July of this year. He was handed a 90-day alcohol monitoring order and 15 days' rehabilitation for these offences.

Additionally, he was fined £200 for assaulting a police constable, an emergency worker, on August 7.

Oliver Shipley, defending, explained that the incident involving the woman occurred while Ashurst was enjoying a night out. "They were not known to each other," Mr Shipley clarified.

"They were all out."

Ashurst is currently addressing his alcohol problem and is under an alcohol monitoring tag. "He has not been in trouble for some time," Mr Shipley added.

"He is doing well currently."

Judge John Thackray KC addressed Ashurst, stating: "The offence of strangulation is serious because it's quite terrifying for the victim. They are never to know when the offence is going to come to an end.

"Luckily, your victim was very brave and fought you off and, in fact, caused you some injuries. It wasn't a prolonged incident but it was quite frightening, and terrifying, indeed, for the victim involved.

"The probation service say your risk can be managed in the community and you can be rehabilitated."

Ashurst received an 18-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also issued a five-year restraining order.