09/10/2025
UUP Raises 'Serious Concerns' Over Non-Fatal Strangulation Sentences
Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA has raised serious concerns about how cases of non-fatal strangulation are being handled within Northern Ireland's criminal justice system, suggesting that the leniency of sentences undermines efforts to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The non-fatal strangulation offence was introduced in June 2023 with the potential for a maximum sentence of 14 years in the Crown Court. However, Mr Beattie's concerns focus on the large proportion of cases being handled in lower courts.
In a recent statement, Mr Beattie highlighted that there were 344 prosecutions for non-fatal strangulation for the 2023-2024 period. Of these only 15 of these cases were heard in the Crown Court, with the majority, 329, heard in the Magistrates' Court.
Mr Beattie criticised the vast difference in potential sentences between the two courts, arguing that the system is failing to provide a suitable deterrent and punishment.
"If an individual is found guilty of non-fatal strangulation in the Magistrates' Court, the maximum he can receive is just two years," Mr Beattie said, adding that such sentences "cannot be appealed as unduly lenient." In contrast, the sentence for the same crime in the Crown Court could be up to 14 years.
He questioned the decision-making of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), stating it is "difficult to see how the PPS decides a charge of non-fatal strangulation has passed the evidential test and then sends it to a magistrate's court."
Further concerns were raised over the overall conviction rate and sentencing outcomes for the offence:
• Out of 344 prosecutions in 2023-2024, only 69 resulted in a conviction.
• Of those convicted, only 28 received a prison sentence.
"If VAWG is going to be tackled," Mr Beattie concluded, "we need to ensure we have a deterrent in the form of sentences that match the crime that also act as punishment."
The non-fatal strangulation offence was introduced in June 2023 with the potential for a maximum sentence of 14 years in the Crown Court. However, Mr Beattie's concerns focus on the large proportion of cases being handled in lower courts.
In a recent statement, Mr Beattie highlighted that there were 344 prosecutions for non-fatal strangulation for the 2023-2024 period. Of these only 15 of these cases were heard in the Crown Court, with the majority, 329, heard in the Magistrates' Court.
"If an individual is found guilty of non-fatal strangulation in the Magistrates' Court, the maximum he can receive is just two years," Mr Beattie said, adding that such sentences "cannot be appealed as unduly lenient." In contrast, the sentence for the same crime in the Crown Court could be up to 14 years.
He questioned the decision-making of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), stating it is "difficult to see how the PPS decides a charge of non-fatal strangulation has passed the evidential test and then sends it to a magistrate's court."
Further concerns were raised over the overall conviction rate and sentencing outcomes for the offence:
• Out of 344 prosecutions in 2023-2024, only 69 resulted in a conviction.
• Of those convicted, only 28 received a prison sentence.
"If VAWG is going to be tackled," Mr Beattie concluded, "we need to ensure we have a deterrent in the form of sentences that match the crime that also act as punishment."
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23 October 2023
New TV Awareness Campaign Of Non-Fatal Strangulation Law
The Department of Justice has announced the launch of a new TV campaign to raise awareness of the crime of non-fatal strangulation. The new campaign, will warn that non-fatal strangulation is a crime 'whatever the excuse' and carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
New TV Awareness Campaign Of Non-Fatal Strangulation Law
The Department of Justice has announced the launch of a new TV campaign to raise awareness of the crime of non-fatal strangulation. The new campaign, will warn that non-fatal strangulation is a crime 'whatever the excuse' and carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
28 July 2023
26 Alleged Abusers Charged Under Non-Fatal-Strangulation Legislation
Forty nine arrests have been made in the first month since the introduction of new non-fatal-strangulation legislation, with 26 alleged abusers facing charges. Non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation legislation was made a specific criminal offence in Northern Ireland, punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment, on Monday 26th June.
26 Alleged Abusers Charged Under Non-Fatal-Strangulation Legislation
Forty nine arrests have been made in the first month since the introduction of new non-fatal-strangulation legislation, with 26 alleged abusers facing charges. Non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation legislation was made a specific criminal offence in Northern Ireland, punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment, on Monday 26th June.
30 June 2023
First Arrest And Charge Under Non-Fatal Strangulation Law
A 47-year-old man has become the first alleged abuser to be detained under Northern Ireland's newly introduced non-fatal strangulation law. The man was arrested and charged in Fermanagh for a number of offences including non-fatal strangulation against a 45 year old female. He appeared before Strabane court on Thursday, 29th June.
First Arrest And Charge Under Non-Fatal Strangulation Law
A 47-year-old man has become the first alleged abuser to be detained under Northern Ireland's newly introduced non-fatal strangulation law. The man was arrested and charged in Fermanagh for a number of offences including non-fatal strangulation against a 45 year old female. He appeared before Strabane court on Thursday, 29th June.
26 June 2023
New Law Will Protect More Victims – Long
Alliance Party leader and former Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed a new piece of legislation that criminalises non-fatal strangulation. The law means that non-fatal strangulation is an offence in any of the various circumstances that it can occur in, such as part of domestic abuse, 'rough' intercourse, or simply as an act of violence.
New Law Will Protect More Victims – Long
Alliance Party leader and former Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed a new piece of legislation that criminalises non-fatal strangulation. The law means that non-fatal strangulation is an offence in any of the various circumstances that it can occur in, such as part of domestic abuse, 'rough' intercourse, or simply as an act of violence.
26 June 2023
New Non-Fatal Strangulation Legislation Introduced
The act of non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation has been made a specific criminal offence in Northern Ireland, punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment. Prior to the introduction of the new legislation today, Monday, 26 June, investigating police officers would have to provide evidence of intent to commit an indictable offence.
New Non-Fatal Strangulation Legislation Introduced
The act of non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation has been made a specific criminal offence in Northern Ireland, punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment. Prior to the introduction of the new legislation today, Monday, 26 June, investigating police officers would have to provide evidence of intent to commit an indictable offence.
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