A man who subjected his wife to years of abuse strangled and assaulted her when she attempted to help him with his record player.
Neil Palmer and his wife of 51 years were at their Cornwall home when he encountered difficulties with the record player. A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Thursday heard that when his wife tried to help him, he became irate and an argument broke out.
Palmer, aged 74, then shoved her to the floor before they moved outside to avoid disturbing their adult son who has learning difficulties. As they exited the property, Palmer grabbed his wife by a scarf wrapped around her neck and twisted it, causing her to struggle for breath, and pushed her to the ground again, positioning himself on top of her, his knees digging into her ribs.
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A neighbour alerted by Palmer’s aggressive shouting and his wife’s terrified screams came over to intervene. Police were eventually called out and Palmer was arrested. During police interviews, Palmer admitted to the assault and intentional strangulation of his wife on November 13 but claimed he had fallen on top of her.
He also admitted to twisting her scarf around her neck in fury and placing his hands on her neck. He later pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating and another of intentional strangulation when he appeared at Truro Magistrates’ Court, reports Cornwall Live.
In a statement read in court, Palmer’s estranged wife detailed his history of abusive behaviour which had escalated from verbal arguments to physical shoving and now violence. She stated: “It was the worst I have seen him. I don’t want him to go to prison. I want him to get the right help for his anger issues.”
The court was informed that the couple is currently going through a divorce and selling their home in Swanpool, Falmouth. Palmer, who had previously received a caution for assaulting his wife but had no prior convictions, was handed a 12-month suspended sentence by Judge Simon Carr.
Judge Carr stated: “It is clear that you have anger management issues and lose control and go into fits of rage when you feel upset. Your wife has had to live with that. On that day you grabbed the wrap around her neck and having taken hold of the wrap you applied pressure and she struggled to breathe.
“We take these offences seriously because it can cause unconsciousness and death. It is an extremely dangerous thing to do and extremely frightening.
“You have shown some remorse but little insight into the harm you have caused. You’re 74 and have a history of violence and anger.” In addition to the suspended sentence, Palmer was ordered to complete 40 days of rehabilitation to address his anger management issues.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit** www.aafda.org.uk**.