Jail for man who abused partner for years before strangling and threatening to kill her
A man who strangled and threatened to kill his long-term partner claimed that she ‘loved being the victim,’ when he was arrested.
Jamie Whiteley, aged 57, had been in a relationship with his partner for more than a decade when his offending came to light.
While his partner at the time said that the relationship was initially good, prosecuting barrister Neil Coxon told Sheffield Crown Court how things began to turn ugly over the years while they lived together in Barnsley.
They are no longer together after splitting in 2025.
“He started to make threats on a number of occasions to hurt her dog,” Mr Coxon added.
“He threatened to, and used violence over a number of years.”
The court was told how things became increasingly worse during and following the Covid pandemic, with Whiteley turning to drink.
He blamed the complainant for his drinking and for losing contact with his children, the prosecution added, and would stop her from meeting with friends or family.
Mr Coxon explained: “She had to hide the fact that she had been to see people for fear of his reaction.”
He continually assaulted her and in one occasion in 2023 pulled her down the stairs, leaving her with bruises, the court heard.
The complainant would take photos of her injuries, though the court was told that Whiteley attempted to access her phone and delete the images.
Things then came to a head on May 8 last year, with the court being told that the complainant came home from work to find Whiteley already drunk.
“He started an argument about the current affairs of politics,” Mr Coxon continued.
“He accused her of disrespecting him and grabbed her by the throat.”
The court was told he strangled her for between one to three minutes, with the complainant saying her neck was ‘tender to the touch’ for three days.
The following day, he was once again abusive and began making threats, including: “I’m going to tie you up and kill you.”
The complainant screamed for help and called the police, who swiftly arrested Whiteley, the court heard.
When interviewed by the police, he denied the offences.
“He alleged the complainant was a controlling person” Mr Coxon said.
“He accepted drinking alcohol to deal with the stress she caused him.”
He also claimed she ‘loved being the victim’ and described her as a ‘narcissistic feminist’, the court heard.
He later pleaded guilty to offences including engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour, as well as assault and intentional strangulation.
Whiteley appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday wearing a white shirt and tie as he prepared to be sentenced.
Whiteley then sat in silence and watched a video interview with the complainant recorded in August last year, where she described being ‘anxious’ but said she ‘doesn’t want to rely on anyone’ to fix her problems.
In a further statement - which she gave in November and was read outin court by Mr Coxon - she added: “Once Whiteley is sentenced I feel like I can close this chapter and get on with my life.”
Whiteley’s defence barrister, Henry Fernandez, said that the defendant had a ‘difficult childhood’ and suffered with high blood pressure.
The barrister explained that while on bail, Whiteley ‘of his own volition’ attended AA meetings and had become completely sober, which was described as a ‘significant’ step.
He added that Whiteley had pursued employment options and ‘could return to work as soon as tomorrow if not sentenced to immediate custody’.
But Judge Charles Thomas ruled that Whiteley “should have known better” and jailed him.
He acknowledged Whiteley’s difficult childhood, adding: “You had a complete lack of role models as to how you should behave.
“However, you are now 57 years of age - frankly, you should have known better.
“That early childhood experience can be no excuse for what you have done later in your life.”
He considered the defence’s submission for a suspended sentence and acknowledged the steps Whiteley has taken to achieve sobriety.
“Overall the gravity of offending is simply so serious only an immediate sentence would be appropriate,” he concluded.
Whiteley was sentenced to 23 months’ imprisonment.
Clare's Law, also known as the The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), is a police power which means members of the public have the right to ask the police for information on their partner's criminal history.
For more information, visit the South Yorkshire Police website.