A man has been jailed in one of the first convictions for new intentional strangulation offence.

Ryan Kiff, 28, of Newcastle, was sentenced to two years imprisonment at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Tuesday (28 February) after he pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and assault.

Staffordshire Police were called at 12.01am on 24 November 2022 to reports that a woman was being assaulted at an address in Newcastle.

The court heard how Kiff strangled, assaulted and dragged the woman by her hair.

Ryan Kiff was sentenced on Tuesday 28 February (Staffordshire Police).

Non-fatal strangulation was made a specific offence on 7 June 2022 as part of the government's Domestic Abuse Act.

It followed concerns that perpetrators were avoiding punishment as the act can often leave no visible injury, making it harder to prosecute under existing offences.

Officer in the case, PC Josh Taylor, of Newcastle Local Policing Team, said: "Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for Staffordshire Police so we are pleased that Kiff pleaded guilty to these offences and has been sent to prison for them.

"This is one of our first convictions for intentional [strangulation], a piece of legislation that we welcomed when it was first introduced, and we will continue to pursue charges of this nature in future cases as appropriate."

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