Man jailed after strangling woman and trying to force her to change statement
A woman who was strangled and pressurised by her attacker to change her statement to police has helped bring her attacker to justice.
Ross John McFadyen, aged 47 and of Templecombe in Somerset, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 26 June 2026 after he was found guilty at a trial of intentional strangulation and perverting the course of justice.
On Sunday 7 July 2024 the defendant and the victim, who was known to him, were at an address in the Blandford area when they began arguing. McFadyen became violent and took hold of her neck, causing her to struggle to breathe and leaving red marks and bruising as a result.
After the victim reported the matter to police, the defendant subsequently attempted to pressurise her to change her statement, telling her she needed to say that he did not strangle her.
The police were made aware and the defendant was subsequently charged with perverting the course of justice, as well as the intentional strangulation offence.
He was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
Investigations Officer Sam Sheppard, of Dorset Police, said: “Ross McFadyen not only subjected his victim to a violent assault, but he also attempted to bully her into changing her statement after the incident was reported to police.
“Her bravery in coming forward to report these matters and support our investigation has ultimately resulted in her abuser being convicted and put behind bars.”
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