Liverpool man jailed for strangling victim in Towyn

Scott Gorman, of Ludlow Street in Liverpool, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Friday morning.

The 50-year-old had previously admitted offences of intentional strangulation and possession of an offensive weapon.

Thomas McLoughlin, prosecuting, told the court that the victim, Kenneth Allford, was at the Golden Gates Caravan Park in Towyn with his partner on October 27 last year, enjoying a bingo evening.

The defendant, who didn't know them, approached and began an 'uncomfortable' conversation in which he asked if the victim took drugs.

Scott Gorman (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)When he said no, Gorman moved on to another table and the couple thought no more of it.

Later that evening, they went back to Ty Mawr Holiday Park, where they intended to continue their evening with friends at the site's club.

But the defendant approached again and sought to join their table.

He was asked to leave, which he initially did - but then went to the bathroom, where he was seen taking the laces from his shoes.

Gorman wrapped the ends around his hands and tied the other ends together to fashion a ligature.

Kenneth Allford (Image: Kenneth Allford)In front of many other revellers, as well as children, Gorman then approached the victim from behind and wrapped the laces around his neck.

He pulled with such force that the victim fell to the floor, where he was struck a few times.

Security officers quickly attended and removed the defendant.

Mr Allford, who the court heard was 70 at the time, was left with a ligature wound in the middle of his neck, abrasions and scuffing to his face.

In his victim statement, he said: "I could feel whatever it was tightening around my neck and restricting my breathing.

"I was very scared and I thought I might die."

When he was interviewed by police, Gorman said he suffered with his mental health and had come to North Wales to 'clear his head' whilst staying in a relative's caravan.

L: Ty Mawr Holiday Park, Towyn. R: Injuries Mr Allford said he sustained from the attack (Image: GoogleMaps/Kenneth Allford) (Image: Kenneth Allford)He admitted to drinking on the night and said he couldn't remember the details of the incident, but that he "felt threatened."

Sarah Yates, defending, said: "This was a very serious and extremely unpleasant incident.

"Leading up to the offence, the defendant's mental health had been deteriorating and he's not been medicated for that so had used alcohol and drugs as a crutch to make himself feel better.

"He has an extremely poor recollection of the incident.

"Since the commission of the offence, he's abstained from alcohol and drugs.

"He has referred himself to Talk Liverpool to try and access mental health intervention, and he has engaged in a Christian society to help him in the community."

Judge Rhys Rowlands told the defendant: "In the round, I am afraid this isn't a case that falls on the cusp of custody - very far from it.

"This was a very bad example of the offence, committed in front of others.

"It was an appalling offence and I'm driven to the view it's not possible to suspend the inevitable custodial sentence."

The Judge jailed Gorman for 18 months, cutting 44 days off to reflect the time the defendant has spent on an electronically monitored curfew prior to the sentence hearing.

A restraining order of three years was imposed to prohibit Gorman from contacting the victim in any way, as well as attending the caravan park where the incident happened.