Letchworth man Ashley Banks is facing five years in prison after being charged with strangulation, ABH, sexual assault and racially aggravated offence

The Letchworth man was the second person in Hertfordshire to be charged with strangulation on Friday (8 July) using new legislation which only became a criminal offence last month (7 June).

Ashley Banks, aged 34, was charged under the non-fatal strangulation and suffocation legislation under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, following an incident on Saturday, July 2 in Letchworth.  He is due back at St Albans Crown Court on August 8.

Investigator Lauren Shelley from the Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit said: "The victim did not wish to pursue a police investigation, however we are able to investigate independently and gather sufficient evidence for a charge. 

"Strangulation can be part of a wider pattern of domestic abuse. Strangling someone, even momentarily, is incredibly dangerous."

Banks has been charged with strangulation, ABH and sexual assault by touching, common assault, assault by beating an emergency worker, public order and a racially aggravated public order offence, which all occurred on Saturday, July 2. 

The new strangulation legislation carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. Previously, offenders would have been charged with ABH. 

A St Albans man was charged on 8 June with the same offence making Hertfordshire the first force in the country to use the new power. He is due back in court on 25 July. 

Anyone who has any concerns about domestic abuse, including strangulation or suffocation, can contact the Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor service on 0300 790 6772. In an emergency, always call 999. If you are afraid or unable to speak, call 999 from a mobile and press 5, 5.