Barrow Man Jailed After Terrifying Attack on Ex Partner

Nathan Ashton, of Greengate Street in Barrow, has been jailed following a violent incident involving his former partner. The 32 year old was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on November 20 after admitting one count of affray on the day his trial was due to begin.
Prosecutor Emma Swindell told the court that Ashton had been in a ‘toxic’ relationship with the victim between September 2023 and May 2024. On the morning of September 25, 2024, the woman went to his flat, where Ashton asked her to leave and threatened to contact social services to remove her two children.
He then grabbed her by the throat, restricting her breathing. The court heard he became increasingly erratic, following her around the flat with a deodorant can and a lighter to create a flame, threatening to burn her and cut her face. He also pushed her onto a bed to stop her leaving and demanded she delete her Facebook account. When the father of her children texted to say he was calling the police, Ashton apologised but continued to pressure her not to report the incident.
In her victim impact statement, the woman said Ashton’s actions were ‘completely cruel’, leaving her anxious, sleepless, and constantly on edge. She added that she had felt so unsafe she moved away from friends and family. The court also heard that Ashton had 14 previous convictions for 30 offences, including drug offences and a prior conviction in 2017 for controlling and coercive behaviour.
Defence barrister Beth Pilling argued for a suspended sentence, saying Ashton regretted rekindling the relationship and was now focused on self improvement. She noted he had held a full time job for a year and risked losing both his employment and rented accommodation if imprisoned.
However, Recorder Ayeshi Siddiqi rejected the plea, saying the seriousness of the offence required an immediate prison term.
“What happened must have been absolutely terrifying for her,” she said, imposing a 25 months jail sentence and a five years restraining order. She added that Ashton’s return to domestic offending was of ‘great concern’.
Ashton will serve up to half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.