Tearful Leeds cocaine addict thanks judge for chance despite vicious assault on woman
Man who relapsed launched at woman during binge
A cocaine addict who attacked a woman while high broke down in tears when he was told he would be freed from prison.
James Davy had been held on remand at HMP Leeds since the violent altercation and could not contain his emotions when he was told his sentence would be suspended.
Leeds Crown Court heard that the 39-year-old was under the influence of drugs on March 15 and behaving “unpredictably”.
He spat in the woman’s face who tried to call for help but he grabbed her phone and smashed it.
He then pinned her down by the neck and made threats that he would “put a knife through her” and was “willing to go to prison”.
Following his arrest, he partially admitted his conduct, but said they had both been drinking and taking cocaine.
Davy, of Birch Avenue, Halton, pleaded guilty to charges of ABH and strangulation.
Mitigating, Aimilia Katsoulakis said there was “genuine remorse” and that Davy was emotional over what he had done.
She said Davy had been sober and working with counsellors but had relapsed.
Judge Christopher Batty told Davy: “It’s a difficult case. You should go to custody on one level. What you did was really serious.”
He jailed him for 16 months, but opted to suspend the sentence for two years.
Davy, who appeared over the link from HMP Leeds, broke down in tears and said: “Thank you for the chance.”
Davy must also complete a violence-awareness course, a nine-month drug-rehabilitation requirement and 15 rehabilitation days with probation.