Southampton: Chef strangled partner when she ignored him | UK News

A chef hurled a cup of tea at his partner, grabbed her throat and pinned her down on a bed because she ignored him while on a work call, a court has heard.

Christopher Keel repeatedly farted and burped at Southampton’s Harbour Hotel to get his partner’s attention which meant she had to place the caller on hold.

When the victim threw the phone at 51-year-old Keel he then attacked her.

Once he let go the woman said she ‘broke down crying’ and was left ‘feeling very scared’.

In a statement read to Southampton Crown Court she said: ‘I felt he could have killed me.. I could feel him digging his fingers into my neck.

‘Since this incident, I don’t like anyone touching or going near my neck.

‘I don’t trust anyone, and I can’t imagine getting into another relationship.

‘I don’t sleep at night, and I can lay awake for hours picturing him lying next to me.

‘I struggle mentally with trying to be the happy, bubbly person I was before I met him.’

Mitigating, Keel’s lawyer Simon Walters, told the court he was of ‘previous good character’ and his position as chef at the hotel should count in his favour.

He said: ‘He has had multiple previous intimate relationships, your honour, which have passed without incident.

‘He is in stable employment as executive chef at the Harbour Hotel in Ocean Village. Justice can be served by suspending the sentence of imprisonment.’

Judge Nicholas Rowland told Keel: ‘I hope that you are thoroughly ashamed of your behaviour.’

Keel pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was given an 18-month sentence suspended for two years. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity days.

Keel also admitted a charge of criminal damage which relates to a keyboard that was damaged when the tea was thrown.

He was also handed a restraining order for the next 18 months.

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