St Albans man charged under new non-fatal strangulation laws
The new criminal offence came into effect on Tuesday (7/6),
A man from St Albans has been charged with non-fatal strangulation and suffocation - days after new legislation made it a criminal offence.
It only became a criminal offence on Tuesday (7 June).
Shane Moore, aged 33, of Appspond Lane in St Albans, was charged with the non-fatal strangulation and suffocation legislation under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, following an incident involving an argument with his partner in Potters Bar yesterday.
Detective Inspector Fay Tooley, who is based within the forces specialist domestic abuse safeguarding investigation unit (DAISU), said: “This is welcome legislation in helping to protect victims of domestic abuse."
"We are probably one of the first - if not the first force - in the country to have used this power so quickly.
"Strangulation may be part of a wider pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. Previously, we would have made arrests for ABH.
"Strangling someone, even momentarily, is incredibly dangerous and we are pleased that this offence is now recognised as a criminal offence, which carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.”