A woman believed her former partner intended to end her life when she discovered him suffocating her as she slept.
Darren Taylor, from Westfield, Harwell, close to Didcot, received a prison sentence at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, May 21.
The 35-year-old had previously admitted guilt to a single charge of deliberate strangulation carried out against his former partner in Witney on December 4 last year.
Julian Lynch, for the prosecution, explained that Taylor and the woman had originally been in a relationship in 2008. They separated in 2019 before reconciling in 2022. They then separated again the following year.
The court was told that on December 4, Taylor was staying at the woman’s residence, which she had consented to.
Mr Lynch explained that Taylor began weeping and recounted an emotional tale about his love for her and desire to reunite.
Darren Taylor (Image: TVP)
The court heard he departed after this exchange, but left some personal items behind, which the woman permitted him to collect.
Mr Lynch told the court the woman subsequently went to bed.
He described that she discovered him lying on top of her. He had covered her mouth and gripped her throat. She was severely frightened and screamed loudly.
The woman managed to escape the bed and flee from him.
She experienced bruising around her eye and scratches to her face.
The victim attended court and delivered her impact statement. She declared that night, following weeks of surveillance, he entered her bedroom, assaulted and strangled her. She felt entirely vulnerable and believed she would lose her life. Her lips discoloured and became swollen. The mental scars have remained with her since. She stated this was not a singular occurrence. He diminished her self-respect. His conduct intensified into ongoing surveillance and intimidation. She no longer feels secure in her own residence. The defendant has previously subjected her to domestic violence. Such conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. She explained the anxiety and psychological damage persists daily. This represented a prolonged pattern of controlling abuse. They must recover and reconstruct their lives free from terror.
The court heard that Taylor has eight prior convictions covering 13 offences.
These comprised four incidents of domestic violence against the same victim, including one instance of driving a car into her.
David Langwallner, for the defence, commented that he responded extremely inappropriately in this particular circumstance. His mental state was not sound. This involves a fractured family situation.
Judge Michael Roques remarked that he applied force causing bruising to her neck. She managed to call out for assistance. He stripped away her sense of safety and protection. His primary mitigating factor stems from his admission of guilt. The judge stated he was aware of the painful history involved.
Moore was sentenced to 24 months in prison. He was also issued with a six-year non-contact order prohibiting him from approaching the victim.