Law enforcement officer imprisoned after strangling his ex-girlfriend in hotel space

A cop who assaulted his ex-girlfriend in a ‘envious rage' has actually been imprisoned for 16 years.

Manchester Crown Court on Friday heard how James Riley, 28, strangled his partner, PhD trainee Ellie Moxham, and left her unconscious on the flooring of their hotel space in the city centre while he required an ambulance.

Emergency situation services consequently hurried Ms Moxham to healthcare facility, were she was put in a caused coma before gaining back awareness the following day.

Riley, of Preston, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to tried murder at a previous hearing.

The officer was off-duty when the event happened on November 10, 2022. He has actually considering that been dismissed by Lancashire Constabulary.

District attorneys informed the court that Riley and Ms Moxham had actually remained in a relationship for a number of years, having even purchased a home together in 2021.

It is comprehended their relationship had actually reached its end by the time of the attack.

At sentencing, Judge Patrick Field KC stated: ‘The relationship had actually ended up being a dissatisfied one, characterised by jealousy and possessive behaviour on your part.

‘Nevertheless, you and she had strategies earlier to participate in a show in Manchester on November 10 and she was encouraged to come and remain at a hotel. A choice that I make sure she will permanently be sorry for.

I keep in mind the observations in the pre-sentence report that you might well have actually translated her determination to go to the performance as a wish for reconciliation.

‘It is clear that she had no intent whatsoever of fixing up with you. She was intent on forming a brand-new relationship with another male.

‘As an outcome of that you ended up being taken in by unmanageable anger and an envious rage, and you assaulted her with homicidal intent.'

While Ms Moxham is comprehended to have no memory of the attack, Judge Field included it was ‘clear' that the previous law enforcement officer had actually ‘grasped her throat and strangled her with such force over a considerable duration that her brain was starved of oxygen.'

Such were the level of her injuries that Ms Moxham is reported to still be struggling with cognitive troubles in the wake of the attack.

These consist of intense tiredness, lessened concentration, troubles with her memory, and freqeunt headaches.

The judge included: ‘While I accept this was not a pre-meditated attack and you acted spontaneously, this was nonetheless a harsh and identified effort to eliminate your previous partner.'

Separated from the offender by a screen, Ms Moxham read out her victim declaration throughout procedures on Friday.

She stated: ‘Although I count myself as incredibly lucky that I can not keep in mind anything about that night, I regularly have frightening problems in which I am being assaulted, strangled and suffocated.

‘This has actually all fed into sensations of stress and anxiety in my daily life and a propensity to overthink.'

Riley had actually at first been because of go to trial, just altering his plea to guilty a week before procedures began.

Ms Moxham included her declaration: ‘Instead of confessing what he had actually done and revealed regret, he has actually dragged this out for a whole year.

‘James ruined my self-confidence by making bad remarks about my appearances. He stated he was exceptional to me at whatever and that I might do absolutely nothing.

‘He ended up being progressively annoyed and upset at the smallest things. My character would be wiped out and it was constantly my fault.

‘He alienated me from myself. I believe it will take a long period of time to appreciate me once again.'

She went on: ‘In hindsight, his control was so perilous. He was likewise a policeman, so you bring a particular level of trust that he will not trigger you damage.

I do not wish to be specified by this. I hope today is closure and an opportunity to appropriately put all this behind me.'

David James, for the accused, stated: ‘Mr Riley understands he has actually pulled down everybody in his life. He understands he has actually pulled down the police and his cops associates.

‘Miss Moxham not did anything incorrect. He understands she is entitled to pursue whatever life she wants to. He is really sorry.

‘He is handling the concerns that he offered in the relationship. He identifies the relationship did not have a future.'

In addition to his custodial sentence, Riley is likewise now based on a limiting order forbiding him from reaching Ms Moxham or intentionally being within 50 metres of her.

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