Man jailed over strangulation and assault on woman

A man who strangled a woman and held her over a staircase during an assault has been jailed.

Charlie Stefano also grabbed the woman by the throat twice, dragged her across the floor, kicked her and snapped her phone in half.

Kent Police officers were called to a petrol station in Chatham after the victim fled a property following a violent incident on 13 February.

Stefano, 33, was charged and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to intentional strangulation and causing actual bodily harm.

Two further charges of criminal damage and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour were ordered to lie on file.

On Tuesday, Stefano, of Dagenham, east London, was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison and handed a six-year restraining order.

The woman, who suffered a swollen ankle after being kicked, escaped when Stefano became distracted and members of the public contacted police on her behalf.

Det Sgt Leighton Prior said: "A woman has been traumatised by Stefano's actions and I hope the prison sentence and restraining order could bring her some closure.

"I would like to commend her courage in supporting his prosecution and ensuring a man who is a clear danger to women is now behind bars."

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