A MAN with a ‘repeated’ history of violence towards women has been jailed. 

Billy Staples, 35, of Fairview Road, Taplow, admitted his guilt to attacking mum-of-two Anna Churchill at a hearing at Amersham Crown Court.

The court heard how Staples manhandled his ex-girlfriend at the time by “pulling her by the hair in front of her two children” at her home in Taplow on August 23, 2022.

The terrified mother then feared she was going to “pass out” after he put his hand over her mouth and nose.

George Heymer, prosecuting, said: “He instructed her to remain silent.

"A neighbour heard the commotion occurring at 2.13 am and called the police themselves. In the meantime, he went to the bedroom where she took the kids with her.”

He then read out the victim's statement which said: “As Billy grabbed me by my hair he continued to pull me through to the kitchen, dining room and upstairs.

“I was screaming so he put his hand over my mouth and nose so I couldn’t breathe.

“I couldn’t breathe properly I was horrified I’d fall unconscious, whilst he was dragging me in, he was telling me to be quiet. He stopped towards the top of the stairs and I went straight to the bedroom.”

He later breached a non-molestation order put in place in September last year following the attack of Ms Churchill by sending her more than 20 messages. 

The court heard of the impact on Ms Churchill and her two children, who had to "live at different places because she was so worried" of Staples finding them, including living in temporary accommodation without kitchen facilities, Judge Payne said during sentencing. 

"Everything they have known has been taken away and they have witnessed violence and aggression," he said. 

In 2018, Staples attacked another ex-girlfriend after he appeared at Portsmouth Family Court.

The court heard how “Staples bit her ear and grabbed her in a headlock from behind”.

Later that year on October 15, he was given a suspended sentence for common assault after he followed the same ex-partner to her car.

When she got out of her car she tried to run away but Staples “grabbed her by the throat.”

John Swain, defending, explained Staples had consumed alcohol on the day of attacking Ms Churchill as he’d discovered he had lost a family member that day.

Mr Swains said: “On the day of questioning on August 23, he had the sad news of a bereavement and went out on a bender which led to the disastrous violence against Ms Churchill which he is not proud of at all and with her children present at home.

“There’s clearly a theme in his life and difficulties arise with ADHD and if he’s not taking his medication there’s understandable reasons. He tries to deal with it with alcohol and that’s a disaster and leads to many of the offences.

"The medication has a sedating effect and his employment requires him to operate machinery which meant he couldn’t do that and was threatened to lose employment so took the choice to not take medication and that plays a part in the way he behaves.”

Judge Payne sentenced Staples to 40 months in prison for non-fatal strangulation, beating and criminal damage.

Judge Payne noted that there was a "high risk of reoffending and risk of serious harm" by anyone who "goes around strangulating people." 

"You grew up in chaotic surroundings and now your children have suffered a similar thing," he added.