A drunkard husband used a pillow to force his wife’s head into a bed, a court heard.

The attack on May 4, which started in an argument over who was the family’s breadwinner, saw the woman struggling to breath. She had already been struck to the face and punched repeatedly in the back.

Likhy Dwararaj’s assault attempt to suffocate his wife, whom he wed in an arranged marriage in their native India in 2012, ended ‘after a few minutes’.

He suddenly stood up and left the couple’s Abingdon home, locking the door behind him.

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The 40-year-old was arrested a month later, when his wife called 999 following a different incident.

He was interviewed by the police and denied the allegations, suggesting he had instead been acting in self-defence.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court this week, Dwararaj, of Levery Clsoe, Abingdon, pleaded guilty to intentional non-fatal suffocation, assault by beating and, in connection with an assault in Preston in August 2021 when her finger was broken, a charge of causing actual bodily harm.

His pleas were entered on the day of his trial. Other allegations of making threats with a bladed article and common assault were not pursued by the prosecution.

Oxford Mail: The case was heard at Oxford Crown Court Picture: Ed NixThe case was heard at Oxford Crown Court Picture: Ed Nix

Sentencing, Recorder John Bate-Williams cited the Court of Appeal case of Londoner Alfie Cook, which established the principle that those who commit intentional strangulation offences should normally go to prison.

“The court pointed out that the act of strangulation and by suffocation can lead to real and justified fear of death,” the judge said.

“And the court said this: ‘The victim will be terrified and often will be unconscious within a few seconds if pressure is maintained.’

“Intentional strangulation or intentional suffocation is extremely dangerous, can have serious long term or even fatal consequences.”

The judge sent Dwararaj to prison for 16 months, telling him: “These offences are all so serious that only custodial sentences are appropriate.”

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Mitigating, Derek Barry said his client was remorseful and realised that the ‘demon drink’ was the reason for his offending.

He had found being remanded since June pending his trial difficult. “The clank of the prison door has been heard loudly for a man of previous good character,” Mr Barry said.

Recorder Bate-Williams imposed an indefinite restraining order limiting contact with his wife.