D, R. v

[1]������� This is an appeal against an extended custodial sentence of four years custody and three years licence imposed for an assault occasioning actual bodily harm.� A Violent Offences Prevention Order (VOPO) of five years was also imposed. �We dismissed this appeal at the conclusion of the hearing written reasons to follow.

[3]������� On 21 January 2022, the appellant returned to Belfast from Scotland where he had been working. �He had arranged to be picked up from the train station by the complainant, his ex-partner and the injured party in this case. �Their relationship had ended some time previously and on the date in question each of the two had new partners. �However, the appellant had contacted the complainant to say he no longer wanted to be with his new partner, and to ask if she would pick him up from the train. �She agreed.

[4]������� She collected him and brought him back to her own home - a house she did not share with the appellant. �The two had dinner and then went upstairs to have sex. �An argument broke out during which a strangulation attack took place against her. �She reports:

"He grabbed me by the throat with both hands and squeezed. �I could feel pressure under my throat in the middle. �I couldn't breathe. �I remember falling to the ground. �I couldn't get a breath. �I felt as though I was having a panic attack. �I remember crawling on the ground. �That's the last thing I remember."

[5]������� The injured party called police at 8:21pm. �The attending officer noted that the victim looked 'visibly upset' and 'shaken.' �She noted: