Controlling boyfriend wrapped bin bag around his partner's neck 'like a leash' during violent assault at his home in Leeds

Arron Gunby was locked up for ten months over the assault at his home in Leeds on September 5 last year.

Leeds Crown Court heard Gunby also subjected the victim to controlling and abusive behaviour in the months leading up to the incident.

Anthony Moore, prosecuting, said Gunby met the woman through social media and they started a relationship in 2019.

Mr Moore said Gunby wold ask the woman questions about her previous boyfriends.

The questions became more personal and direct over time and he began monitoring her social media accounts to see who she was in contact with.

Gunby began assaulting the victim from May 2020 onwards.

On some occasions he grabbed her by the throat and would strangle her.

During the evening he sent her messages before turning up at the bar and she agreed to go home with him.

Mr Moore said Gunby "flipped" and attacked his partner the next morning "for no apparent reason" at his home in Carlton.

He said: "He was screaming in her face and shouting that she drove him crazy. He grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off her feet."

Gunby then pushed her to the floor and wrapped an empty bin bag around her neck which he used as a leash to pull her across the floor.

A neighbour heard the disturbance and allowed the victim into his home.

She was "shaking and cowering" as police were contacted.

Gunby was arrested and initially denied any wrongdoing.

Gunby, 34, of Pit Field Lane, Carlton, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship.

The woman provided a victim statement to the court, saying: "When he put the plastic bag around my neck I thought he was going to kill me."

Jessica Heggie, mitigating, said Gunby was sorry for what he had done.

She said the offences took place after he began abusing drugs and alcohol during lockdown.

Ms Heggie said Gunby had been living away from Leeds since the attack and has been free of drink and drugs.

Jailing Gunby, Judge Christopher Batty said: "Your big problem is jealousy.

"This wasn't just lashing out. It was sustained and repeated.

"The most serious part of it was wrapping the bin liner around her throat.

"She did not know where this would end and that is the problem with violence."