A Whittlesey man grabbed his long term partner round the neck while she was in the bath, pushed her underwater and threatened to drown her, a court heard. Wayne Garner, 34, was jailed for 16 months at Peterborough Crown Court after pleading guilty to harassment, assault by beating, sending malicious communications, obstructing a constable and criminal damage.
Garner, of Burnt House Road, Whittlesey, described himself as “an animal” if he drank cheap vodka.
Police were alerted to their then home in Peterborough on 7 February, following reports of Garner smashing a glass door panel in a fit of rage.
It came to light that three days before, Garner had grabbed the victim around the neck while she was in the bath, pushed her underwater and threatened to drown her.
Garner tried to flee while officers arrested him, but he was detained and taken into custody.
After being released on conditional bail, he was ordered not to contact or go near the victim, but the next day, she noticed he had taken their car from the driveway.
Over the next few days, she received multiple phone calls from a withheld number, and Garner transferred £1 into her bank account.
Doorbell footage captured Garner driving past the victim’s home multiple times and stopping outside.
He then sent her a message on TikTok which read: “My biggest regret is laying a hand on you”.
Garner was further arrested for breaking bail conditions, but in April, he resumed his harassment campaign.
He sent messages to the victim’s son, which said, “she’ll know about it when I see her again”, and “if she didn’t push the right buttons, it wouldn’t happen, would it”.
Garner then sent another message threatening to slit the victim’s throat.
However, on 14 April, Garner handed himself in at Thorpe Wood Police Station, Peterborough, and, in interview, said drinking alcohol could make him want to fight, but he tended to avoid “cheap nasty vodka” as it turned him into “an animal”.
He admitted assaulting the victim and sending distressing messages.
Detective Constable Lloyd Davis, who investigated, said: “Garner pursued a sustained campaign of fear and violence against the victim, and I am very pleased the seriousness of his offences has been recognised with this custodial sentence.
“I would like to thank the victim for her courage in coming forwards and being supportive of the case.”
For advice about stalking and harassment, visit: https://www.cambs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/sh/stalking-harassment/
