A 26-year-old thug has been locked up for over three years after a string of violent attacks on his ex-girlfriend, including intentional strangulation.
Relationship Turns Ugly in Just Eight Months
George Leighton, who has no fixed address, was sentenced to three years and four months at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, 19 September. The court heard the couple's relationship, which began in January 2024, quickly turned toxic after just eight months.
Shock Strangulation and Brutal Assaults
- 14 September: Leighton throttled his partner twice while driving from Sunbury, leaving her gasping for air before punching her in the face.
- 10 October: Back at their home, he pinned her against the headboard and squeezed her neck so hard she struggled to breathe, causing bruises on her neck, shoulder, and arm.
- 15 October: Furious she refused to lend him her car, Leighton slammed her head repeatedly against the vehicle door until she blacked out. When she came round, he forced her head into his lap, then crashed into another car, leaving her with a split lip and chunks of hair torn out.
Rampage Escalates Before Arrest
- 18 October: Leighton hurled her phone out the car window and smashed it on the ground.
- 20 October: He showed up shouting at her friend's house and smashed her car window.
Leighton was arrested on 21 October and charged with multiple offences. In custody, he refused to answer questions, only laughing when shown footage of him yelling at the victim's doorstep.
Guilty Verdict and Tough Sentencing
Leighton admitted two counts of criminal damage and was found guilty of two counts of intentional strangulation and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He now faces a lengthy stint behind bars for his terrifying reign of abuse.
