A MAN who strangled a woman in Llandudno after she had been called a “grass” has been jailed.

Jake Massey, 31, of Russell Court, Bolton, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (July 22).

Massey, formerly of Colwyn Bay, had initially denied intentional strangulation, but changed his plea to guilty at a later hearing in May.

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Prosecuting, Patrick Gartland told the court that, at about 9pm on August 6, 2023, officers in Llandudno were stopped by a witness who told them they had seen Massey strangling Katie Davies.

Ms Davies had known Massey for about a week by then; the defendant having known her ex-partner.

When spoken to by police, Ms Davies said she had been in Massey’s company that evening, and that he had initially been “polite” and offered to walk her home.

They were walking in silence when Massey tried to choke her “out of the blue” for a few minutes on Madoc Street.

Ms Davies was eventually able to escape him, and ran towards the witness, crying – Massey, meanwhile, rode away on his push bike.

She suspected the incident may have been in relation to a statement she had made to police regarding her ex-partner.

Indeed, Ms Davies said she had been called a “grass”, and told “snitches get stitches”, earlier that day.

Closed circuit television footage which captured the incident was played in court during today’ hearing.

Ms Davies added that she now feels “uneasy” when going out, and is “scared to death” of being attacked again.

Massey, who had 31 previous convictions for 46 offences, said he was “drunk and stoned” at the time of the offence.

Defending him, Simon Killeen said that, in the time since this incident, Massey’s life has “changed substantially”.

He has now obtained his own accommodation, which he pays for through his part-time employment, and is a “significant part” of the lives of his son and stepson.

“In many senses, this man has made serious efforts to turn his life around,” Mr Killeen said.

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts also handed Massey a restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting Ms Davies for an indefinite period.

Judge Petts told him he has a “pattern of breaching orders” and a “history of drug and alcohol misuse”.

“I don’t think there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation,” Judge Petts added.

“I don’t think there is enough in your favour to justify suspending the sentence.”

Massey will also pay a statutory surcharge.

Speaking after sentencing, Sgt Matt Jones, of North Wales Police said: "This was a shocking and unprovoked attack on an innocent woman, but luckily, others were present to intervene.

“Violence against women and girls is a force priority, and we take all reports of such incidents very seriously.

“I welcome today's custodial sentence. We are committed to making North Wales the safest place to work, live and visit."