Philip Baker, a 63-year-old man from Wessex Drive, Erith, has been sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of assaulting and strangling his partner. The violent attack left the victim fearing for her life.

The incident occurred on March 13, when Baker’s partner was resting on her sofa after an argument. According to the prosecution, Baker attacked her without provocation, pinning her down and applying pressure to her throat until she struggled to breathe. This followed a previous assault on September 10, where he repeatedly punched her arm, causing significant bruising.

During the sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court, Judge David Miller described the chilling details of the assault: “You got on top of her, used your body weight to pin her down, placed your knee on her chest, and strangled her while she desperately tried to defend herself.

The victim managed to call 999 after Baker released her, leading to his arrest. Despite his denial of the charges, Baker was found guilty following a trial at Bexley Magistrates’ Court.

This is not Baker’s first offence involving violence towards women; he had previously been cautioned for battery against another female friend. Judge Miller noted Baker’s history of violence in his sentencing remarks, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.

You are a mature man with a good work record, but you clearly have a propensity to be violent towards people who are weaker than you, particularly women,” Judge Miller stated. He concluded that due to the seriousness of the offence and Baker’s history, there was no justification for a suspended sentence and no realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Baker had been remanded in custody prior to his sentencing after breaching bail conditions. The court hopes that the conviction and the ensuing sentence will serve as a deterrent to others and highlight the severity of domestic violence.