A man who put his wife through hell for many years with his anger issues strangled and beat her up when she tried to help him with his record player. Neil Palmer and his wife of 51 years were at home in Cornwall when he was having some issue with the record player.
A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court today (Thursday, January 9), was told how, when his wife went to help him, he became angry and agitated and an argument ensued. Palmer, 74, then pushed her to the floor and the couple went outside to be out of earshot from their adult son who has learning difficulties.
As the couple walked out of the property Palmer grabbed his wife by a wrap around her neck, twisted it so she struggled to breathe and pushed her to the ground again and got on top of her, his knees going into her ribs.
A neighbour heard Palmer’s aggressive shouting and his wife’s terrified screams and came over to help. Police were eventually called out and Palmer was arrested.
In police interviews Palmer admitted the assault and intentional strangulation on his wife which happened on November 13 but said he had fallen on top of her. He also admitted twisting her scarf around her neck in rage and putting his hands on her neck too.
He later pleaded to a charge of assault by beating and another of intentional strangulation when he appeared at Truro Magistrates’ Court.
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In a victim personal statement read out in court, Palmer’s soon to be ex-wife said he has been known to have fits of rage and incidents have gone from verbal to shoving in the past and now violence which she said had been a completely over the top reaction.
She added: “It was the worst I have seen him. I don’t want him to go to prison. I want him to get the right help for his anger issues.”
The court heard that the couple are now in the process of divorcing and selling up their home in Swanpool, Falmouth.
Palmer, who has no previous conviction but received a caution for assaulting his wife in the past, was sentenced by His Honour Judge Simon Carr to 12 months in prison suspended for two years.
Judge Carr said: “It is clear that you have anger management issues and lose control and go into fits of rage when you feel upset. Your wife has had to live with that.
“On that day you grabbed the wrap around her neck and having taken hold of the wrap you applied pressure and she struggled to breathe. We take these offences seriously because it can cause unconsciousness and death. It is an extremely dangerous thing to do and extremely frightening.
“You have shown some remorse but little insight into the harm you have caused. You’re 74 and have a history of violence and anger.”
As well as the suspended prison sentence, Palmer was also ordered to complete 40 days of rehabilitation activity requirement to address his anger management issues.
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