A MAN who strangled his former partner in Shotton while she was pregnant with their child, and threw a bottle of ketchup at her, has been jailed.

Samuel Barlow, 23, of Welbeck Street South, Ashton-under-Lyne, was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (September 23).

Barlow had previously admitted two counts of criminal damage to property, and was convicted after trial of a charge of intentional strangulation.

The court heard that Barlow and Megan Shearsmith were in a relationship for almost one year when, on May 24, 2023, an argument ensued between them.

Barlow shouted at Ms Shearsmith, pinned her against a wall, and placed his hands around her neck for several minutes, before she eventually dropped to the floor, crying and gasping for breath.

Her neck remained sore for several days after this incident.

Then, on July 17, 2023, Barlow threw a bottle of ketchup, covering a carpet and Ms Shearsmith’s clothes in the sauce, and also damaged her television, worth £500.

Defending Barlow, who had a previous caution but had not been to prison before, Laura Knightly said he has “conceded his actions were unacceptable”.

She added: "He has accepted his own issues did not justify placing his hand around Ms Shearsmith’s neck.”

Ms Knightly said Barlow is apologetic, does not wish to remain in contact with Ms Shearsmith, and is a “young man who has issues” and who “presents with gaps in his maturation”.

Sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands also imposed a five-year restraining order, preventing Barlow from contacting Ms Shearsmith for that period of time.

He said Barlow had subjected Ms Shearsmith to a “terrifying ordeal”.

Judge Rowlands told Barlow: “I had hoped you might have shown some insight, and accepted what you did. You haven’t.

“That doesn’t bode well for your rehabilitation, from where I’m sitting.

“It just shows what a coward you are when you were telling her she was pathetic.

“It's not her who’s pathetic. What’s pathetic is a man prepared to bully a woman as you did on this occasion. This is not normal behaviour.

“You seem to be blaming anyone and everyone apart from yourself.”

Barlow will also pay a statutory surcharge.