Barrow Dad Grabbed Vulnerable Partner By The Throat During Violent Attack
A Barrow father has been jailed after grabbing his particularly vulnerable former partner by the throat during a frightening domestic abuse incident.
Nathan Ashton, 32, of Greengate Street, Barrow-in-Furness, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 20 November 2025 after admitting one count of affray. He entered his guilty plea on the day his trial was due to begin. The court heard that the incident formed part of a troubled relationship between Ashton and the victim, which lasted from September 2023 until May 2024. The prosecution outlined a series of threatening and violent actions during the encounter.
Prosecutor Emma Swindell told the court that the woman visited Ashton's flat on the morning of 25 September 2024. Ashton asked her to leave and threatened to contact social services in an attempt to have her two children removed from her care. He subsequently grabbed her by the throat, restricting her ability to breathe. The situation escalated as his behaviour became increasingly erratic, leaving the woman frightened and struggling to get away from him.
The prosecution explained that Ashton followed the woman around the property carrying a deodorant can and a lighter, which he used together to produce a flame. He threatened to burn her and cut her face with a blade. During the incident, he also pushed her onto a bed to prevent her from leaving and demanded that she delete her Facebook account. The court heard that his actions were intended to intimidate and control the victim, who was particularly vulnerable in the circumstances.
The situation continued when the father of the woman's children sent her a message saying he was contacting the police. Ashton subsequently apologised, but the court heard that he continued putting pressure on the woman not to report what had happened. He also threatened to involve social services if she refused to speak to the police. The details presented during the hearing demonstrated the extent of the intimidation and the difficulties the victim faced during the incident.
In a victim impact statement, the woman described Ashton's behaviour as completely cruel. She explained that the experience had left her suffering from anxiety, sleepless nights and a constant feeling of fear. The incident had significantly affected her sense of safety, forcing her to move to another address and leave behind friends and family who had previously provided her with support. Her statement highlighted the lasting emotional consequences of the violence and the disruption it caused to her everyday life.
The court was also told that Ashton had 14 previous convictions covering 30 offences. His criminal history included drug-related offending and a previous conviction for controlling and coercive behaviour in 2017. Defence barrister Beth Pilling asked the court to consider a suspended sentence, explaining that Ashton regretted restarting the relationship and wanted to concentrate on improving his behaviour. She also highlighted his full-time employment at a recycling facility and argued that imprisonment could result in him losing both his job and rented accommodation.
Recorder Ayeshi Siddiqi rejected the request for a suspended sentence, concluding that the seriousness of the offence required immediate imprisonment. She described the experience as absolutely terrifying for the victim and expressed significant concern about Ashton's return to domestic abuse offending. The judge imposed a 25-month prison sentence and a five-year restraining order. Under the sentence, Ashton will serve up to half of his prison term in custody before being released on licence, subject to the applicable conditions.
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