'Disgraceful' thug inflicted sickening assault on Leeds woman who told court: 'He ruined my life'
The woman feared she would be killed
A “disgraceful” thug who “lost his temper” repeatedly punched and kicked a Leeds woman in an unprovoked assault, before grabbing her by the throat until she almost fell unconscious.
Liam Chadwick was jailed at Leeds Crown Court, where it was heard the woman’s life had changed dramatically because of his attack.
In a victim impact statement, read by prosecutor Dan Lee, the victim said: “He ruined my life in such a short space of time.
“I believed he would kill me that night.
“The trauma he caused me will stick me with for life.”
The court the 25-year-old carried out the attack on November 22.
Chadwick climbed on top of her and kicked her to the head several times. He then grabbed her with both hands around her neck.
She later said she could not breathe and “everything was going black”.
He then began kicking her in the back of the head and punched her to the ribs and shoulder.
She was eventually able to escape and flagged down a passing car.
Arrested, charged and then bailed under strict instructions not to contact the victim, Chadwick continued to text her and send messages on social media.
Chadwick even posted a message saying he was planning to take his own life, even giving a date.
He was arrested again and held on remand. He appeared in court over a video link from HMP Leeds.
Chadwick, of The Keep, Kingston Upon Thames, London, admitted ABH, strangulation and stalking.
Mitigating, Carl Kingsley said Chadwick has no previous convictions, and that he suffered from anxiety and depression at the time for which he is medicated.
He said Chadwick could be given a suspended sentence, but with “onerous conditions” to keep him out of trouble.
But Judge Geoffrey Marson KC said it had to be immediate custody.
He told him: “What you did was disgraceful. It was bullying, cowardly, persistent and frightening for her.
“Whatever lay behind it, you have absolutely no excuse for doing what you did.
“She must have been absolutely terrified.”
He jailed him for 22 months and handed him a 10-year restraining order to keep him away from the woman.