Abusive partner grabbed victim's throat and threatened to kill her

Byron Houghton fell into a rage during an argument with his girlfriend at their family home in Warrington and turned to violence.

The 38-year-old, from Warrington Road, Widnes, appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for sentencing having pleaded guilty to one offence of assault by beating.

Outlining the facts of the case, prosecuting, James Gore told the court how Houghton grabbed his victim by the throat and hit her to the face after things got heated during a row.

His partner recalled being ‘shocked’ by his actions, which were played out while their children were present.

“She said she was going to ring the police,” Mr Gore said. “She begged him to leave a few times, but he did not leave.”

It was then heard that his partner moved towards the front door and the defendant moved with her.

He threatened her stating, ‘I am going to kill you, you are dead watch’.

Byron Houghton leaving Warrington Magistrates Court (Image: NQ) Defending, Gary Schooler said his client had confirmed he did not wish to challenge his partner’s version of events that were given to the police – despite his lack of acceptance of how the incident unfolded which was noted during his conversation with the probation service.

“I suspect what he was attempting to do was try and justify the incident,” he explained, referring to Houghton’s discussion with probation.

“He does accept that he did assault her in the presence of his children.

“The issue that will concern the court is that he was able to result to physical violence in front of his children.”

Mr Schooler referred to his client’s criminal record, highlighting just one previous offence which did not relate to violence.

He also noted that the police had been called to the defendant’s address on two previous occasions.

The defence barrister continued: “He accepts that very often when he and his former partner argued that he has behaved unacceptably. He has a long history of mental health problems.”

Mr Schooler explained that weeks prior to the incident, Houghton had been told to come off medication he was prescribed in relation to his mental health and that his client expressed to him feeling ‘not himself’ during the time of the assault.

Concluding the hearing, District Judge McGarva first addressed the defendant directly before sentencing.

“The account you gave the probation did not involve you admitting to anything. If people do not face up to what they have done, they cannot say they are sorry.”

Addressing the account the defendant gave to probation of the incident, he said he believed the original account of events provided by the victim in the case.

“You grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the face,” he continued. “Children were present. There is strong evidence that suggest children who grow up in a domestic violent setting, go on to be abused in later life or in some cases become abusers themselves. They are often affected by this.

“It is a serious incident because it is domestic and there were serious threats of violence.”

The defendant was handed a suspended sentence of 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He was ordered to carry out five rehabilitation requirement days as well as to participate in a Building Better Choices programme and taking on 200 hours of unpaid work.

Costs of £239 were also ordered to be paid to the courts.