Jail for man who choked and harassed former partner

An abuser who strangled and headbutted his former partner has been locked up.

Matthew Bradley was found to have engaged in violent and coercive behaviour towards the woman from September to October 2025.

This included a series of assaults during their seven-week relationship, with the 41-year-old head-butting and punching the victim to the face numerous times, as well as strangling the woman in another instance.

He also forbade the woman from returning home, and stalked her by waiting outside her address.

Bradley was originally made the subject of a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) on 15 October which banned him from returning to her home or contacting the victim.

However, Bradley flouted the court order and continued to harass the victim.

His behaviour was then reported to Nottinghamshire Police through a third-party witness, which led to the offender being re-arrested.

After originally pleading not guilty to charges against him, Bradley eventually went on to plead guilty to engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and intentional suffocation.

He also admitted to assault of a person occasioning actual bodily harm and two count of assault by beating.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday (4 March), Bradley was jailed for a total of four years.

Bradley, formerly of Hadrian Gardens, Bestwood, was also made the subject of a ten-year restraining order, forbidding him from any future contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Alexander Terry, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Bradley is a violent bully who subjected his victim to the most appalling violence, and I am pleased he has now been jailed for his reprehensible sequence of offending.

“I hope this case serves as a warning to other violent men who think they can abuse women. We treat such reports with the utmost seriousness and will do whatever it takes to bring offenders to justice.

“We’re here to help end abusive relationships and protect victims from harm – so I would also encourage anyone experiencing similar violence to come forward and speak to us. We will support you.”