Violent Cambs man beat girlfriend with suitcase after she found 'flirty' messages

A violent Cambs man punched and strangled his girlfriend and beat her with a suitcase - after she confronted him over "flirty" messages on his phone to another woman. Police said Jamie Pretlove "inflicted a disturbing level of violence" on his victim.

Pretlove, 32, flew into a violent rage during a row at their home in Cottenham on October 29, 2022. During the argument the victim slapped Pretlove around the face.

In a furious retaliation, he punched the victim several times in the head and used his body weight to pin her down on a bed while he strangled her. The woman had been struggling to breathe and Pretlove then started to pack a suitcase.

However, the argument started again, and he threw the victim to the floor and attacked her again, punching her several times. He then grabbed the suitcase and used it as a weapon to hit her in the face and body.

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The victim noticed she was bleeding and managed to flee to the bathroom, and shortly afterwards dialled 999 and stayed on the phone until officers arrived. Pretlove was arrested at the scene and the victim, who was visibly shaken, received medical treatment for cuts, bruises and scratches to her neck.

In police interview, he admitted grabbing the victim around the throat, but claimed he hadn’t restricted her breathing. However Pretlove, of Redhall Close, Hatfield, was found guilty of intentional strangulation and actual bodily harm (ABH) at a court hearing held earlier this month.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday (June 20).

'Disturbing level of violence'

DC Matthew Lander, who investigated, said: “Pretlove inflicted a disturbing level of violence on his victim, and I am relieved he has been put behind bars. Our officers are determined to hold every perpetrator of domestic abuse to account. If you are a victim or know someone who is, or has been, affected by domestic abuse, please get in touch.”

Victims of domestic abuse are urged to contact police or call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247. To report concerns, or for more advice and support on domestic abuse, including coercive control, visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary's dedicated web page.

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