The strangler ‘snapped’ and lashed out violently against his girlfriend, her son and two police officers

David Ferguson, 43, drank vodka and pills on May 26 this year, becoming increasingly paranoid at his girlfriend’s family home in Wednesbury and accusing her of being unfaithful.

A fight started by him trying to snatch her phone quickly escalated into a rampage of violence that lasted more than 20 minutes during which he strangled, punched and kicked three adults and a child. Her ex-partner was bleeding from both ears and covered in cuts and bruises.

Chris O’Gorman, prosecuting, said: “He started taking a cocktail of pills and drinks which alarmed her. She called 111 for help, he grabbed her phone and a fight ensued, her 17-year-old son saw what was happening and intervened, saying “leave my mother alone.”

“The accused then began to hit the boy, then it was the mother’s turn to try to help her son. The accused then began to strangle him, after freeing himself, he released him slammed her against the stove, choking her with one hand and hitting her face with the other hand.