A man who squeezed his partner’s throat and threatened to kill her has been spared jail – despite it being his third offence against her.
Marius Luchian lashed out during an alcohol-fuelled row over a text message on his on-off partner’s phone.
He chased her around the house, before pinning her down on the bed and putting his arm across her neck as he threatened her.
The woman managed to flee onto the road and flag down a passing motorist for help.
Farm worker Luchian appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday for sentencing after previously admitting charges of assault, vandalism and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
Fiscal depute Kevin Corrins said the 31-year-old had gone to stay with his partner for the weekend when the argument broke out on July 29.
He said: “The accused had begun to consume alcohol. At about 2.30pm an argument started due to a perceived message on a mobile phone which the accused confronted his partner about.
“The accused’s reaction was to take the phone and throw it on the concrete floor outside and stamp on it repeatedly.”
Luchian’s actions then turned physical as he took hold of her wrists, arms and shoulders before chasing her to the bedroom.
There he pinned her to the bed while placing his arm across her neck and restricting her breathing while making threats to kill her as well as putting his hand across her mouth.
The woman was able to flee the property and flagged down a passing motorist – who took her to his home before calling the police.
Mr Corrins read a letter from the woman who said she had been able to “live without worry” since the offence as Luchian had been remanded in custody.
Defence solicitor Grant Daglish said he could not avoid the fact the latest incident was his client’s third offence against the same woman.
He added: “Stresses had been building up but a significant factor here is alcohol. He’s ashamed of his actions and he knows they are unjustifiable and totally unacceptable.”
Luchian, of Rothiemore Farm, Nethy Bridge, was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and was placed under supervision for two years.
A four-year non-harassment order was also imposed to prevent him from contacting his former partner.