Reading Magistrates' Court: Strangulation charge dropped after Thatcham man admits lesser charge

A MAN accused of a strangulation offence has pleaded guilty to a less serious charge.

Benjamin Small, of Paynesdown Road, Thatcham, had denied intentionally strangling a female.

The 30-year-old further pleaded not guilty to assaulting that same female by beating her and to beating two other females, none of whom can be named for legal reasons.

All the offences were said to have been committed in Thatcham on the same date earlier this year.

On Tuesday, November 8, Mr Small was back in the dock at Reading Magistrates' Court.

He changed his pleas to admit assaulting the two females by beating them.

The prosecution offered no evidence on the strangulation charge and it was therefore dismissed.

Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared on an 'all options' basis, including custody.

Mr Small was meanwhile released on bail with conditions.