Dorset man strangled wife and caused her to black out twice

On July 26, 2020, Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, aged 32, followed his wife upstairs of the property they lived in with his parents.

Prosecuting, Siobhan Oxley, told Weymouth Magistrates’ Court how the victim had moved from Bangladesh a few months prior and spoke ‘little English’ but was adjusting to life in Dorset.

She said: “On July 26, she was at this point living with the defendant at his parent’s house and at around 11.30pm, she made her way up to bedroom and the defendant followed her.

“When inside the bedroom, she received a calendar notification on her phone and the defendant became aware and asked what it was.

“She tried to show him the phone and then he became aware of a Snapchat notification.”

Ms Oxley continued: “He grabbed her and pushed her onto the floor. She stood up and he grabbed her by the throat, causing her to black out.

“Soon after she woke up on the bed, the defendant strangled her again on the bed. This again caused her to black out.”

Chowdhury, of Albert Street, Blandford Forum, initially pleaded not guilty to assault of a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm, but later changed his plea to guilty.

Following the assault, the victim made her way downstairs and demanded her phone back from Chowdhury. The 'terrified' victim regained her phone and ran back into the bedroom, locked the door and immediately called a family member.

Ms Oxley said: “She managed to get her phone back, got up to the bedroom and locked it. He came up and he bangs and kicks on the door of the bedroom.

“She called her family in Bangladesh and one of the family members called her Uncle and asked him to contact the victim. He has video called her on Whatsapp and tells her what happened.

“She said she was at risk and he told her to call the police. A 999 call was received at 5am from her in a tearful state and despite the language barrier, she said she was terrified and that he was shouting and had taken drugs.”

Police officers arrived at the address, who found Chowdhury on the sofa. His family denied any incident had taken place.

A statement from the 'vulnerable' victim spoke of how this assault made her feel ‘depressed and scared'.

It added: “I married the man to think we were going to have a family. I don’t know where to go or what to do with my life.”

Weymouth Magistrates Court

Photos of the victim’s injuries were showed to the court, namely a mark on her chest, bruising on her wrist, hand, right arm and further bruising on her right hand.

The court also heard that Chowdhury had multiple previous convictions, including some related to domestic abuse. His last offence was a breach of non-molestation order in 2014.

Chowdhury, of Albert Street, Blandford Forum, initially pleaded not guilty to assault of a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm, but later changed his plea to guilty.

Mitigating, Kenny Sharpe, observed that Chowdhury took ‘full responsibility’ of what happened and regretful of his actions. He also explained that the assault was fuelled by alcohol and drug abuse, of which Chowdhury has now abstained from and has taken a ‘holy path’ with Islam.

Mr Sharpe said: “He owns what took place on the evening in question. He expressed remorse and accepted responsibility; something you want to see from a sentencing point of view.

“He goes on not to give an excuse but to explain why it took place. He talks that it was a new relationship and he talks about there were Covid related issues.

“He talks of abuse of drugs and alcohol and it was spiralling out of control and this is what manifested itself with his new wife.

“It is behaviour he is familiar with former partners. Some of those previous convictions are in relation to domestic abuse.”

In a letter read out to the court by Mr Sharpe, Chowdhury said he was ‘highly intoxicated’ and wished he ‘could change what happened.’

He added: “I miss my wife and I wish I could have the opportunity to tell her I am sorry.”

Chair of Magistrates, Mrs Phillips described his offence as ‘serious’ and spoke of how the bench gave ‘serious consideration’ over whether Chowdhury should be sent to prison.

Chowdhury was issued a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, a two-year restraining order to prohibit any contact with the victim unless through solicitors.

He must also take part in an alcohol abstinence and monitoring course for 42 days and undertake up to 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

Chowdhury was also ordered to pay £700 in compensation for the ‘mental anguish and harm’ he caused her.

• If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, you can call Refuge on 0808 2000 247