Man jailed after telling partner 'today is the day you are going to die'
A man who told his partner, “today is the day you are going to die”, has been jailed for more than four years.
Cambridgeshire police say that Daniel Howard (38), of Pentelow Close, Murrow, Wisbech, began by being verbally abusive towards the victim and threatening to slit the throats of everyone in the household while they slept.
A police spokesperson said: “The following morning, the abuse escalated further when Howard squeezed the victim’s throat, preventing her from breathing.
The spokesperson said: “Howard declared: “Today is the day you are going to die.”
“Terrified, the victim tried to escape, but Howard grabbed her by the hair from behind and repeatedly punched her in the face, head and stomach before smashing a laptop and TV remote.
“She managed to flee to a nearby park, where she called 999, telling operators she was too frightened to return home.
“When officers arrived, she said she needed the abuse to stop and that Howard’s abusive behaviour had been escalating for years.
Police say that following his arrest, Howard told officers: “I lost my temper, I'm going to admit to everything. I put my hands on her.”
The incident happened on 20 April this year
Howard was sentenced to four years and four months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on July 21, after admitting intentional strangulation, two counts of making threats to kill, assault by beating and criminal damage.
A further count of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, and an additional count of intentional strangulation, were ordered to lie on file.
Howard was also handed a 10-year restraining order.
Afterwards, DC Jon Coupland said: “Howard subjected the victim to a terrifying ordeal, leaving her genuinely fearing for her life.
“His abuse escalated from threatening and controlling behaviour to serious violence. Strangulation is an extremely dangerous offence and one that can have devastating consequences.
“The victim showed immense courage in reporting what happened and supporting the investigation. Thanks to her bravery, Howard has been brought to justice and is now serving a significant prison sentence.
“Domestic abuse can take many forms, including threats, coercive control, intimidation and physical violence. We would urge anyone experiencing abuse to come forward. We will listen and do everything we can to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.”