Convicted attempted murderer strangled estranged wife at Lincolnshire caravan site while on bail

A convicted attempted murderer who strangled his estranged wife after returning to Lincolnshire is back behind bars.

Christopher Piercy, 56, carried out the attack at a caravan site in North Hykeham while he was on bail at an address in Falkirk, Scotland, for other matters.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Piercy was convicted in 2004 of attempted murder on a previous partner and wounding a 12-year-old child.

A judge jailed Piercy for 27 months after he admitted intentionally strangling his estranged wife in North Hykeham on 18 December last year.

Judge Simon Hirst also sentenced Piercy to a two year term of extended licence once he is released from prison after deciding he is a danger to the public.

The court heard Piercy had been bailed to an address in Scotland when his estranged wife returned to his former North Hykeham caravan and found him inside.

Passing sentence Judge Hirst told Piercy the victim did not expect Piercy to be at the caravan when she visited to get some of her property back.

Judge Hirst said: "You took her phone which had been given to her by the police.

"You struck her to the left side of her face and you then pulled her hoodie across her throat, she says for four or five minutes."

The Judge added: "She told you that she could not breathe. You told her 'that you didn't want her to breathe.' "

Piercy, of no fixed address, also admitted making threats to his wife if she reported the matter.

He pleaded guilty to offences of assault, intentional strangulation and perverting the course of justice on 18 December 2023.

The victim suffered swelling to her left eye, the court was told.

In a victim impact statement the woman described how she was left shaken by the attack and now worried Piercy was becoming more violent.

The court heard Piercy had a number of convictions relating to former partners, including battery in 2003, attempted murder in 2004, a further assault in 2014 and breaching a restraining order in 2016.

Chris Jeyes, mitigating, said Piercy now realised he was not suitable for such relationships, and admitted his Probation report did not make good reading.

"He expresses remorse, but that is thought to be not genuine," Mr Jeyes told the court.

"That is maybe a little unfair to him as he did something others do not do. He pleaded guilty and the complainant did not have to come to court."

Mr Jeyes added: "There was clearly more to this than meets the eye, the complainant does not want a restraining order.

"This was the first conviction in their five year relationship. Given the history of this individual that is perhaps surprising.

"The recent picture is not as alarming, although everything is seen through the lens of what he did in 2003 when he was in his 30s."