Teesside judge 'takes risk' by letting abusive Hartlepool husband who strangled his wife go free
A husband who strangled his wife after she called the police has narrowly avoided going to prison.
Drunk Geoffrey Pearson, 57, wrapped his hands around his then wife’s neck after he threw a can of lager at her.
He strangled her while she was making her way to the front door to meet the police after she rang 999 for help, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Estelle Chambers, prosecuting, said Pearson became angry after he returned home from a pub where the couple had been celebrating their anniversary.
His wife left early after Pearson got so drunk that he fell off a chair.
Once back home, he picked up a can of lager and threw it at his wife, hitting her in the face.
As she waited for the police to arrive, Ms Chambers said Pearson “charged over to her” and “proceeded to wrap his hands around her neck” while holding her against a wall.
Ms Chambers added: “She described feeling petrified during that incident that the defendant would kill her.”
Two police officers responding to the 999 call heard her screams and entered the address.
Pearson was arrested and taken to Middlesbrough Police Station, but he refused to answer any questions when interviewed.
Pearson, now divorced, of Mariners Point, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and assault by beating on the day he was due to stand trial.
The court heard he has previous convictions for domestic violence against previous partners, also involving strangulation and a hammer.
In a report ahead of sentencing, probation officials deemed him a “high risk”.
But in mitigation, Mark Styles said Pearson had a good work record and his last conviction was in 2014, which showed he could keep out of trouble.
He added both parties had had “far too much to drink” on this occasion, which dated back to 2024.
Judge Aisha Wadoodi said she was concerned at Pearson’s attitude to his previous offending and his lack of remorse.
But she said she was “just persuaded” not to send him straight to prison.
She added: “I’m taking a risk and a chance on you, Mr Pearson.”
The judge sentenced him to 12 months in prison, which was suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to do 240 hours of unpaid work and 20 days’ probation.