A MAN who strangled his wife at her Abergele home, after shouting accusations of her being unfaithful at the Colwyn Bay supermarket where she worked, has been spared jail.

Leighton Williams, 37, of Gibson Avenue, Wakefield, was today (September 25) sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for the same time period, at Caernarfon Crown Court (sitting at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court).

He had previously pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation.

Prosecuting, Matthew Dunford told the court that Williams and Coral Williams had been married for five years when, on April 5, he arrived at the Morrisons supermarket in Colwyn Bay, where she was working.

Williams “behaved oddly”, pushing past his wife before turning around and shouting insults at her.

Mrs Williams was left “very upset”, and when she arrived home at 5.30pm, he continued to accuse her of being unfaithful, before placing his forehead against hers and pushing against it.

This caused Mrs Williams to hit her head on a door, leaving her with a lump.

Shortly after, Williams placed his hand around her neck for three to five seconds, applying pressure so as to restrict her breathing.

Neighbours called police, who found Mrs Williams hiding in a garden, “clearly upset”, with reddening to her neck.

In a statement, Mrs Williams said her husband had “always been abusive”, but had “never been physical”.

She added: “I thought I knew him. I’m scared of what he’s capable of, and I think he’s unpredictable.”

Defending Williams, who had five previous convictions for eight offences, Elen Owen said he was under “huge stresses” at the time, having had his work contract ended in January.

Mrs Williams then immediately started work herself, which left him feeling “incredibly trapped with two very young children”.

He also has mental health difficulties, which Williams said leaves him feeling “entirely crippled mentally” when under stress.

Williams, who is “extremely sorry and remorseful”, has since found work with Moto Hospitality, but is on sick leave currently.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Saffman also ordered Williams to complete a 35-session “building better relationships” programme, and 35 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements.

A restraining order was made, prohibiting Williams from contacting his wife for two years.

He will also pay a £187 surcharge.