In 2026, a 28-year-old man was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment at Isle of Wight Crown Court after violently throttling his partner with both hands until her body went completely limp.
Connor Cragg, residing in Ryde, Isle of Wight, appeared before the court for sentence on Friday 23 October 2026 after entering an eleventh-hour guilty plea to intentional strangulation.
The prosecution detailed how the violent attack took place on 1 March 2026 inside the family home, occurring in the direct presence of young children. Cragg seized his partner of nine years and dragged her forcefully to the floor, causing her head to impact the ground. Cragg then straddled the victim, placed both hands around her throat, and compressed her neck, severely restricting her breathing until she felt her body go limp. The victim later recounted that she genuinely believed Cragg was going to end her life during the assault.
The woman managed to break free and flee the property to seek refuge at her mother’s residence, displaying noticeable red ligature-style marks and bruising across her neck. The court heard the attack had a catastrophic impact on the victim’s mental health, plunging her into despair and triggering self-harm.
The Crown Prosecution Service further exposed a toxic environment of coercive and controlling behaviour throughout the nine-year relationship. Cragg regularly audited her personal Facebook and Snapchat communications, refused to permit her to leave the property without tracking her real-time location, and demeaned her into feeling like a maid rather than an equal partner.
Cragg initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of intentional strangulation, only reversing his plea on the morning his Crown Court trial was scheduled to commence. The court was informed that Cragg was an established repeat offender, with an antecedent history containing 15 convictions for 28 previous offences, and had been formally assessed by probation services as presenting a high risk of violent reoffending.
Sentencing Cragg, Recorder Malcolm Gibney described the incident as a grave and dangerous manifestation of domestic abuse.
Recorder Gibney sentenced Cragg to an immediate custodial term of 27 months’ imprisonment.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a 10-year restraining order strictly prohibiting Cragg from contacting the victim or approaching her address.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
For the latest updates and offender details, follow us on the Offender Database Facebook Page. If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on how to report a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.