A sadistic plumber who choked his pregnant girlfriend 20 times during a violent attack has been jailed for two years.
Craig Mitchell strangled Jodie McLeod – who was then 20 weeks pregnant with his child – over and over again as she lay helpless in the living room of a flat in Dundee..
When she began to struggle for breath he would release his grip – only to choke her again when she managed to take in air.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard the horrific attack lasted around 20 minutes before Miss McLeod managed to escape to the bathroom and call for help.
When police arrived they found Mitchell asleep on a mattress on the living room floor.
He denied any knowledge of the attack when police woke him up.
Shameless Mitchell earlier asked to be released from custody before his sentencing date, claiming he wanted to help Miss McLeod prepare for the birth of the child.
A sheriff refused, locking him up until his sentencing on Monday where he was told: “This is a serious matter and the only sentence appropriate is a custodial one.”
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court Mitchell had twice been convicted of domestic offences, as well as a further domestic conviction relating to another ex-partner.
Miss Robertson said: “Around 3.30am the accused arrived at the address and appeared to be under the influence of some substance.
“He accused the complainer of being unfaithful and demanded to know who the other man was. He grabbed her face and squeezed it while shouting and accusing her.
“He dragged her by the hair then straddled her with his knees over her shoulders. The complainer said she was really frightened because he was a lot stronger than her.
“He grabbed her by the throat and squeezed it, restricting her breathing.
“When struggling for breath he would release then grab her again. The accused also put his hand over her mouth.
“He did this around 20 times over 20 minutes or so.
“She lay limp with her head to one side before managing to make her way to the bathroom where she called a friend and whispered for her to call the police.
“When police arrived the complainer was found crying and shaking.”
Mitchell, 26, of Rosemont Road, Dundee, pled guilty to aggravated assault on May 10 this year at Lawton Terrace, Dundee.
Defence solicitor Gary McIlravey said: “He is supported by his partner and he hopes to regain his liberty and go straight back to his employment to support his family.
“I appreciate, as does he, that he has an unenviable record. He will have immediate access to employment when he is liberated.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed Mitchell for two years.
He said: “You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence.
“It involved you seizing her by the throat and squeezing tightly, restricting her breathing.
“When she was struggling for breath you would release then grab her again, restricting once more. You also placed your hand over her nose and mouth.
“This is a serious matter and the only sentence appropriate is a custodial sentence.”
