Latest news with #strangulation
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Brit, 73, strangled to death with his own belt in his driveway while being robbed of his mobile for 4th time in 6 months
A 73-year-old British engineer has been strangled to death with his own belt in his driveway after popping down to the pub for a beer. Retired expat Karl Lauks was said to be the 'life and soul' of his adoptive town of Tulbagh 70 miles north of Cape Town, in South Africa. 3 3 3 On Sunday evening after visiting his local watering hole he went back home. But after parking his car in the drive he was attacked before he could get out from behind the wheel. Lauks was battered into submission and his leather belt taken off him. The killer is said to have used Karl's scarf to silence him by jamming it in his mouth to stop his screams. He is then believed to have wrapped the tragic man's belt around his neck and choked him to death. The cold-blooded killer took Lauks' mobile phone – the fourth one stolen from him in 6 months – the murder weapon, wallet and house keys and left him dead in the car. AC/DC enthusiast Lauks started work in Western Province over 20 years ago, but fell in love with South Africa's fourth oldest town and never returned home. He was originally from Bradford, Yorkshire. His beaten up corpse was only discovered when a neighbour saw his drive gate and car door open on Monday the next day. is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man pleads not guilty in sexual assault case
EAU CLAIRE — A man facing sexual assault and strangulation charges pleaded not guilty Tuesday. Joseph Pope, 22, now of Mendota Heights, Minn., is charged with second degree sexual assault, strangulation and suffocation, physical abuse of a child — intentionally causing bodily harm, and false imprisonment. The case was filed in February. According to the criminal complaint, police found the victim on the sidewalk outside, crying, after being called to Pope's Eau Claire residence. They took her to the hospital and interviewed her there. The woman told investigators she had asked Pope for permission to sleep at his apartment, using his bed instead of the couch because he has roommates. He agreed. When she went to bed, she said Pope began biting her neck. When she told him to stop, he replied 'stop being a baby.' He quit and she fell asleep. She awoke about 15 minutes later to Pope again biting her neck. He pulled at her hair and choked her, which she told police caused everything to go 'black for 10 seconds.' Pope sexually assaulted her, and she began gathering her things to leave when Pope left the room for a moment. He blocked the door and refused to let her leave. When she threatened to call police, he replied that no one would believe her. Police did, though, in part because she still had bite marks on her neck when they spoke with her at the hospital. Each of the charges is a felony. Second degree sexual assault is a Class C felony, which carries the potential for up to 40 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000. The remaining charges are all Class H felonies. Each carries up to six years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. Court records indicate a status conference is scheduled for July 30 in the case.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Cold killer' who strangled a grandad to death found guilty
A man who strangled a "much-loved" grandfather and then dumped his body in undergrowth has been found guilty of murder. Stephen Castle, 59, killed 54-year-old Wayne Woodgate following a chance encounter in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Maidstone Crown Court heard that Castle had a longstanding grudge against Mr Woodgate, blaming him for a police raid on his home several years earlier which led to him going to jail. Mr Woodgate had told his stepson he feared ever seeing Castle again, believing he was "after him" as he thought he had grassed on him, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). 'Intended to kill' The jury was shown CCTV footage during the trial of Castle driving past Mr Woodgate in Goods Station Road on 17 October 2024. Kent Police said "concerned witnesses" saw Castle arguing with his victim before he threatened Mr Woodgate and another man forced him into a van. Castle then drove Mr Woodgate to his home, where they were alone, and strangled him to death, the prosecution said in court. Mr Woodgate's body was found six days later just off a main road near Peasmarsh, East Sussex, the CPS said. Will Bodiam from the CPS said Castle was not someone who "suddenly snapped". "This was a man who intended to kill," he said. Mr Bodiam continued that, although Castle maintained he was not a "cold killer", "forensic evidence told a different story in terms of the force and pressure he used to kill his victim." Man 'strangled victim out of anger', court hears After initially claiming to police he left Mr Woodgate safe and well, Castle changed his story and admitted he killed him, according to the CPS. "Even then, he [Castle] continued to lie about where he killed Wayne and repeatedly claimed that it was unintentional," said Mr Bodian. Kent Police called Mr Woodgate a "much-loved father and grandfather". "Castle has left a family in deep mourning," said the force's senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Neil Kimber. "I only hope this conviction allows them some form of closure." Castle is due to be sentenced on 26 June.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Police officer sacked and jailed after blowing vape smoke at a member of the public before throttling him
A policeman who blew vape smoke at a member of the public and strangled him until he passed out has been jailed. PC Tyler McWalter, 30, choked Charlie Pottow while on a night out during an unprovoked attack in Dorset. The off-duty officer lunged towards the victim and placed his arm around his neck before dragging him to the floor, Southampton Magistrates Court heard. PC McWalter, from Kinver, Staffordshire, was sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of intentional strangulation. The court heard he was pulled off Mr Pottow by door staff at Kika Beach bar in Weymouth, Dorset, following the event in September last year. He was previously dismissed without notice from Dorset Police and placed on the police barred list after being found guilty of gross misconduct. Mr Pottow suffered a haemorrhage in the left eye - a bloodshot eye - and a sore throat and neck. He also claimed the attack gave him PTSD, and on his behalf prosecutor David Fosler told the court he had developed a 'debilitating fear of crowded spaces'. Mr Pottow said in a statement: 'The fact that my attacker was an off-duty officer has shattered my trust in law enforcement.' For the defence, Kevin Hill said PC McWalter was signed off work with anxiety and depression at the time of the attack. He had been working for Dorset Police since March 2023, and was studying for a degree in policing, the court heard. Sentencing PC McWalter, District Judge Anthony Callaway said: 'You are a 30 year old man of hitherto exemplary good character and at the material time a serving police officer. 'The 14th of September last year was the date, the Kika Beach bar in Weymouth was the place and 02.30 hours was the time and I note that you were present along with a colleague of yours at this particular venue. 'Also present that morning was a man by the name of Pottow - the complainant, a person unknown to you who became involved with security staff.' Mr Pottow 'may have been asked to leave', the judge said, and CCTV showed to the court showed him having a minutes-long exchange with security staff who surrounded him. Judge Callaway said 'Either way, it had nothing whatsoever to do with you'. He continued: 'There's an issue as to whether you blew vape smoke in his face, something you deny, but it's clear from the video footage we have seen that you did exactly that. 'The physical altercation that predicates this case started, and you deliberately placed an arm around this man's neck.' The judge added Mr Pottow suffered 'significant distress' - he 'briefly lost consciousness' and experienced a 'haemorrhage in his eye'. He concluded: 'I have taken into account problems with your mental health, problems with your degree course and the fact that you were signed off work.' Judge Callaway noted the former officer had 'already suffered some punishment' after losing his career in the police. PC McWalter will have to also pay a victim surcharge.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Rockford woman strangles victim, puts holes in walls: Police
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police arrested Jkai Morris, 21, for allegedly strangling a woman, among other charges. On May 21, around 6 p.m., officers were called to the 1100 block of Irving Avenue for reports of domestic battery. The argument started when Morris yelled at a child in the apartment, according to court records. The victim told authorities that the situation escalated when the suspect broke the bathroom door and shattered the glass stove door. Morris proceeded to threaten the victim's life, take her phone, strangle her and push her into the bedroom wall. The wall was damaged because of the altercation. The woman had visible injuries, police reported. Morris is charged with domestic battery that caused physical contact, aggravated domestic battery that caused strangulation, interfering with reporting domestic violence and criminal property damage. Morris was granted pretrial release at her most recent court hearing. If you are a survivor of domestic or sexual violence, visit our for resources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
