A man who subjected a woman to four hours of “sustained” violence, including strangling, punching, biting and degrading abuse, has been jailed for 16 months following a harrowing court case at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
James Gold, 22, of Vanguard Close, Upminster, was sentenced on Friday, 14 March, after pleading guilty to strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH). The court heard that the assault unfolded in front of the woman’s young children, leaving the victim with injuries across her entire body.
Violent Outburst Triggered by Jealousy
Prosecutor Helen Owen told the court that Gold and the victim had been in an on-off relationship, repeatedly marked by violence. On January 10, Gold arrived at the woman’s home high on cannabis, fell asleep on her sofa, and awoke in a rage after being confronted about messages he had sent to other women.
What followed was described as a four-hour campaign of terror, during which Gold:
- Punched and kicked the woman repeatedly
- Bent her fingers backwards
- Strangled her until she nearly lost consciousness
- Bit her arm
- Spat on her
- Verbally abused her
- Cut up her clothes with a knife
- Poured shower gel around her home
Children Witnessed the Violence
The court heard that the victim’s infant children witnessed several parts of the attack, with Recorder David Etherington KC condemning Gold’s behaviour as “child-like” and “completely unjustifiable.”
“This incident was, in my view, very serious,” Recorder Etherington said. “It took place over four hours and amounted to an outbreak of anger you could not control.
Nothing in the world justifies what you did. You behaved like a child yourself—cutting things, spitting, grabbing, punching.”
He added that Gold’s decision to place his hands around the victim’s neck entered “absolutely forbidden territory.”
“It doesn’t take much force to cause death,” the judge warned, recalling other cases where strangulation had led to fatalities.
Sentence and Release
Gold was sentenced to 16 months in prison, of which he is expected to serve half in custody before being released on licence. The court also heard that Gold had admitted the attack during his arrest, four days after the incident.
A Reminder of the Seriousness of Domestic Abuse
The case has prompted renewed calls for awareness around domestic abuse and coercive control, particularly in relationships where children are also impacted by violence in the home.
Support for domestic abuse victims is available via the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or through Women’s Aid and other local support services.
