Blidworth man's suicide bid after attempt to strangle partner

A young man who drunkenly tried to strangle his partner in Blidworth took an overdose when he discovered what he had done the next day, a court has heard.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.Mansfield Magistrates Court.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Lee Thomas Roebuck, of Rock Hill, Mansfield, admitted two counts of assault and one of criminal damage when he appeared in Mansfield court on June 7. Sentencing was postponed until June 29 for probation reports.

Robert Carr, prosecuting, said Roebuck and his partner had returned home from a wedding reception where he had drunk eight pints of beer, but an argument developed when she asked him to carry out a domestic chore.

“He stormed off and began punching things in the kitchen,” said Mr Carr. “He came back to the living room with two goldfish in his hands and threw them into the garden.

“He smashed pictures off the wall. He threw the dog into the living room.

“He began strangling her. He was forcing her backwards until she fell over. She screamed as loudly as possible and thought he was going to kill her.

“He stood up and said that he was off. He picked up his car keys and left.”

His partner then called the police, said Mr Carr.

The court heard the room was covered in blood after the attack and Roebuck’s partner’s throat was sore and she had marks on the back of her neck.

“She doesn’t want to minimise what Mr Roebuck has did to her, but not having him at home with her has been very stressful,” said Mr Carr.

In a statement she said: “I hope that this situation can be as a turning point for Lee and I to start the relationship again. This applies to both of us.”

Roebuck’s partner appealed to the court not to imprison him and asked for a restraining order, barring him from her Blidworth address, to be lifted.

Chris Lacey, mitigating, said a lot of damage had been caused to the flat. He said police had described the scene as ‘ridiculous’ in some respects, as the goldfish survived.

“Around 9am the next day he tried to find out what happened. He went to the woods and took an overdose,” said Mr Lacey.

“He went to her address and was sick and was taken to the hospital.

“He was simply astounded at what he had done.”

He was sentenced to 24 weeks, suspended for 24 months, and must complete a 12 day building better relationships course.

He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

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