Tameside man first to be charged with non-fatal strangulation under new Domestic Abuse Act

The offence came into law just a few days ago.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A Tameside man has become the first person to be charged by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) with non-fatal strangulation - just days after the offence came into law.

The force said on Friday (10 June) that the man, who is in his 30s, had been charged with the new offence as well as Section 47 assault and harassment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This followed an alleged incident at an address in Dukinfield.

The specific offence of non-fatal strangulation or suffocation came into law as part of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which was introduced nationally on Tuesday (7 June).

Campaigners in the groups We Can’t Consent To This and the Centre For Women’s Justice had argued strongly for the separate offence to be brought in. The legislation carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, from GMP’s head of public protection, said: “This new legislation only came in earlier this week and our officers have already secured our first charge under it which is another step in our commitment to tackling domestic abuse.

“We are absolutely committed to investigating perpetrators and tackling violence against women and girls.”

GMP said advice for domestic abuse victims is available on its website here.