Jail for fisherman who strangled ex-partner in street

44-year-old followed woman through Peel in early hours of morning

A fisherman has been jailed after attempting to strangle his ex-partner in the street and then fleeing the Island.  

Darren James Carnochan, of St Paul’s Square in Ramsey, followed the woman through Peel in the early hours of 1 September 2020.

During sentencing at Douglas Courthouse the 42-year-old’s advocate described his actions as a ‘momentary lapse of self-control’.

The court heard how the woman, who was on her way to meet a friend at around 1.30am, heard footsteps behind her and started to walk into more well-lit areas so she could be seen by others.

“It’s almost as if she anticipated something happening,” the prosecutor told the court.

The woman heard someone swearing at her and calling her a ‘liar’ – when she reached Lake Lane, Carnochan came out of the darkness and slapped her across the face.

She fell backwards and he jumped on top of her and began strangling her with both hands – she later told police, who were called by a concerned neighbour, she thought she was going to be killed.

Carnochan initially denied the common assault charge and was due to stand trial – however he left the Island and missed his court appearances meaning he was deemed ‘unlawfully at large’.

The court heard he’d returned to the Isle of Man this year and was arrested in May.

Carnochan’s advocate told the court the couple had ended their relationship in August 2020 and he’d wanted to talk to her about their issues - describing it as a ‘spontaneous attack without any planning’.

“This is not a random attack on a member of the public,” he said, adding: “It was his decision to return to face the music.”  

Describing it as an ‘extremely serious offence’ High Bailiff Jayne Hughes sent Carnochan to prison for four months telling him: “She must have been frightened.”