Neighbour heard screams as victim was '˜throttled' in the street

John Lowther was already under the threat of a suspended jail sentence for burglary when he called at the home of his ex Lauren Page in Gordon Street, Gainsborough.

At Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, December 9, Lisa Hardy, prosecuting, said that when Ms Page refused to give him any money Lowther reacted by pushing her backwards into the house.

Miss Hardy said: “There was an argument.

“He pushed her onto the sofa and grabbed her around the throat effectively throttling her.”

The couple went outside where Lowther continued the attack.

He grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the ground before continuing to assault her as she lay on the floor.

Police were called by a neighbour who heard Ms Page’s screams and then saw her being throttled in the street.

Lowther was arrested at the scene but later given police bail with a condition not to go to the property but the following day he turned up at the house again.

The court was told that he had 24 previous convictions for a total of 55 offences.

Lowther, 30, of Ropery Road, Gainsborough, admitted a charge of common assault arising from the incident on August 16.

He also admitted breach of a suspended jail sentence imposed in January 2016 for burglary.

He was jailed for six months.

When passing sentence Judge Michael Heath told Lowther: “This was a sustained and unpleasant assault.

“You are a man who has a record of convictions for violence.”

David Eager, in mitigation, said that Lowther had completed an unpaid work order and has paid full compensation ordered following his burglary conviction.

He urged that Lowther should be given credit for his prompt plea of guilty to the common assault offence.