Reading Magistrates' Court: Suspended sentence for Theale man who strangled woman in domestic violence attack

A DOMESTIC violence attack rendered a woman almost unconscious, a court heard.

The culprit, who also attacked another woman, has been given a lengthy, suspended prison sentence for the violent onslaught.

In the dock at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 22, was Liam Helsby.

The 22-year-old, of Leonard Court, off James Butcher Drive in Theale, admitted intentionally strangling Chante Bishop and assaulting her by beating her.

He had initially denied the strangulation offence but later changed his plea to guilty.

In addition, Mr Helsby admitted assaulting Diane Helsby by beating her and causing criminal damage to her blue Ford Fiesta.

Finally, he admitted possessing the Class B controlled drug, cannabis.

All the offences were committed on Saturday, July 2.

Mr Helsby was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

The court ruled a custodial sentence, albeit suspended, was necessary because of the "seriousness of offence nearly resulting in loss of

consciousness in a domestic violence context and in the presence of a child."

Mr Helsby was also ordered to carry out 216 hours of unpaid community work and to complete up to 40 days of rehabilitation activities including attending a Building Better Relationships course.

In addition he was fined £60 for the cannabis offence and ordered to pay £154 compensation and £500 costs.

Finally, Mr Helsby was made subject to a two-year restraining order preventing him from contacting Ms Bishop either directly or indirectly or from going to specified addresses in Purley and in Tilehurst.