Abuser attacked woman again after jail release
Northumbria PoliceA drunken domestic abuser who attacked his partner on a holiday a week after being released from prison for previously punching her has been jailed for two years eight months.
Aaron Keetley, 38, strangled the woman and hit her with a wine bottle during an almost hour-long ordeal in a caravan in Northumberland, while her crying children listened, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The woman said she still lived in fear of Keetley, while a judge said a recording of the attack made by the woman was "chilling".
Keetley, of no fixed abode, admitted assault and intentional strangulation.
Keetley, who also abused a previous partner, began a relationship with the woman at the end of 2024, prosecutor Neil Pallister said.
It quickly became apparent he had issues with alcohol with the pair having multiple arguments due to his constant drinking, the court heard.
Could not breathe
In May 2025 he was jailed for six weeks for punching the woman multiple times in the face, the court heard.
He was released from custody on 25 July and days later went on holiday with the woman and her two young children to a caravan at Haggerston Castle, Mr Pallister said.
His drinking again led to arguments which erupted into violence at about midday on 7 August, the court heard.
During a 53-minute long attack in the caravan's bedroom, Keetley wrapped his arm around the woman's neck and squeezed to the point where she could not breathe
He bit her on the back, punched and slapped her face and hit her legs with a wine bottle, Mr Pallister said.
The woman's children heard the attack from a neighbouring room and repeatedly told Keetley to stop, but he told them she was crying for no reason as he carried on attacking their mother, the court heard.
'Vile insults'
The woman was able to make an audio recording of her ordeal in which Keetley could be heard saying he could murder her, he was stronger than her and would destroy her brain, the court heard.
In a statement read to the court, the woman said the "horrific" attack had affected her life in many ways.
She said she lived in fear of him and had been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression.
Judge Thomas Moran said the audio recording was "shocking" and made "very chilling and appalling listening".
He said Keetley used "vile insults and numerous threats" and ignored the woman's pleas to let her and her children leave.
The judge said Keetley had been assessed as posing a very high risk to partners and had been described as "dishonest and manipulative" by probation officers.
A 15-year restraining order banning Keetley from contacting the woman was also made.
