Prosecutors say consideration should be given to whether Martin Tudor, 46, is a dangerous offender
A husband's attempt to choke, strangle or suffocate his wife was “little short of attempted murder”, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Martin William Tudor is awaiting sentence for an attack on his wife, which he has admitted, following “a history of violence”.
Prosecutors have suggested that the 46-year-old might be a dangerous offender.
He pleaded guilty earlier this month to a charge of “attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle” his wife on September 23 last year.
Tudor did this with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, according to the charge.
The crime carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, the court was told.
The defendant was meant to be sentenced yesterday, but a pre-sentence report was not ready for the case.
Tudor, of Gunnergate Lane, Marton, Middlesbrough, wrote a letter to the court from prison setting out his mitigation.
Robert Mochrie, defending, said there was an “inevitability about the nature of sentence”, and no one could try to persuade a court to pass a suspended sentence.
Tudor was originally charged with attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm on his wife.
That indictment was quashed when he entered his guilty plea to the more unusual choking crime.
Mr Mochrie said it had been noted that the admitted offence was “somewhat less serious” than the original attempted GBH charge.
Prosecutor Adrian Dent disagreed, saying: “This looks to me little short of attempted murder.
“The defendant seems to have long-standing mental problems caused by depression and alcohol. There is a history of violence in the marriage.
“Eight years ago it is said he tried to throttle his wife, and the wife was the victim in this case.
“There is, in my submission, good reason to think that this defendant is dangerous.”
Judge George Moorhouse adjourned the case until May 6 for the preparation of reports. He remanded Tudor in custody.
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