Key points:
·Event Overview: Nathan Howells, a 20-year-old from the UK, assaulted his girlfriend, including strangling her for 30 seconds and hitting her head, after she refused to buy e-liquid for his e-cigarette.
·Court Proceedings: Cardiff Crown Court heard the case, with Howells admitting to charges of intentional strangulation, assault, and criminal damage.
·Judgment: Howells was sentenced to 12 months in a young offender institution, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activities and 180 hours of unpaid work, and to pay £600 ($750) in compensation and £100 ($125) in legal costs.
·Defense Counsel's View: Defense lawyer Jac Brown highlighted Howells' previous clean record and mentioned his emotional distress upon learning of his aunt's death on the day of the attack.
·Judge's Decision: Judge Paul Hobson noted that strangulation is inherently dangerous and terrifying for the victim but considered Howells' youth, clean record, and signs of remorse, leading to the suspended sentence.
A man in the UK was reported on August 21 to have choked his girlfriend for half a minute after she refused to buy him e-liquid. He then proceeded to punch her in the head while she lay helpless on the ground. This horrific attack, triggered by e-liquid, is beyond despicable.
According to Cardiff Crown Court, 20-year-old Nathan Howells from Bridgend became enraged after his girlfriend refused to go out and buy e-liquid for him.
Court revealed that Howells would check her phone and restrict her access to social media. His behavior reached a terrifying climax in a domestic violence incident on October 29, 2024, when they were in her residence.
Prosecutor Kirsten Murphy detailed how Hauwells had asked her to go to the store to buy e-liquid for him. When she refused, he began throwing things around the room.
Ms. Murphy said, "This includes the pillows on the sofa and the drawers in the cabinet." She added, "He punched a hole in the living room wall and also pushed her chest, causing her to stumble backwards.
He cursed at her, but it was ineffective. He used both hands to squeeze her throat for 30 seconds, causing her to feel dizzy and disoriented.
She fell backwards, landing on her back, while he took advantage of her being on the ground to repeatedly punch her in the head and ribs, causing immediate pain. As she went upstairs, he followed behind her and kicked her belongings down the stairs.
The victim attempted to send a secret plea for help to a family member through Snapchat, but later retracted the message out of fear that the abuser, Howells, would discover it. She showed visible signs of injury, including bruising and red marks on her neck.
In her personal statement, the victim revealed the ongoing trauma she has experienced since the attack, stating: "Whenever I go out, I always unconsciously look back, afraid that I will run into Nathaniel.
Howell admitted to the charges of intentional strangulation, assault, and criminal damage. His defense lawyer, Jack Brown, emphasized Howell's lack of criminal record and the emotional distress he experienced after learning of his aunt's death on the day of the assault.
Mr. Brown said he deliberately argued with the complainant, admitting that he completely lost control at the time.
Probation services believe that Howells poses a moderate risk to the victims, but Mr. Brown suggests that a restraining order could reduce this risk.
Before these crimes occurred, he was unemployed and frequently used marijuana to cope with his unemployment," Mr. Brown explained. "He realized that marijuana wasn't helping him and has been clean for several months now. As a long-term contract worker at a warehouse, he now lives a stable life.
During sentencing, Judge Paul Hobson told Howells, "Those who engage in this type of behavior are often young males who should expect to face severe punishment. Choking is inherently dangerous and extremely terrifying for the victims. Just imagine being strangled, struggling to breathe – you will understand why this is so dangerous and terrifying.
However, the judge also took into account Houghton's youth, his clean record, and the "some remorse" he displayed.
He sentenced Howells to 12 months in a youth detention center, with a two-year suspended sentence. When two women in the public gallery realized that Howells would avoid immediate jail time, there were gasps and tears in the courtroom; however, Howells himself remained expressionless.
In addition to probation, Howells has also been ordered to complete 25 days of rehab activities and 180 hours of unpaid labor. He must also pay a compensation of £600 (approximately $750) and £100 (approximately $125) in legal costs.
Furthermore, a restraining order has been issued, prohibiting Howells from contacting the victims for the next five years.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
