ECHO readers have voiced their anger after a semi-professional rugby player who beat his partner walked free from court.
Kenny Hughes subjected Lauren Burrows to a violent assault during the early hours of July 27 after a night out, Liverpool magistrates were told.
Hughes straddled his partner and strangled her for 20 seconds up to four separate times at his home in Haydock.
He then cornered Ms Burrows in the attic, and after menacingly placing a foot on her neck, repeatedly pushed his hand down her throat for up to 30 seconds each time.
But Hughes walked free after he was convicted of actual bodily harm following a trial.
Chairman of the bench Brian Sweeney said he was giving the rugby league player "one chance" and the "benefit of the doubt."
Ms Burrows claimed the attack was so bad she "could have been killed."
Speaking about her ordeal, she said: "I have not been able to sleep and wake up having flashbacks to the incident, sweating and struggling to breathe and in tears."
But now ECHO readers have criticised both the decision to let Hughes walk free and the rugby player, who came through the youth system at St Helens and was most recently at North Wales club Crusaders, for his behaviour toward his then partner.
Stuart Middleton said: "Great British justice system strikes again! Epic fail."
Claire Tyrrell said: "The law is a total joke that's why people do this to people because they just get a slap on the wrist if the sentences were tougher maybe they would think twice about doing stuff like this."
Ali Roberts said: " Dreadful....just one incident of strangulation can cause death due to lack of oxygen...and this poor woman suffered multiple attempts. "
Hilary Gelhardt said: "What on earth does that mean 'benefit of the doubt'?"
Phillip Winstanley said: "These judges should be held accountable if he does it again."
Annette Bunnell said: "British justice is a big joke."
Barry Holland added: "He's no man who can do that to a woman and no justice done."
Carl Nuttall said: "Our system is at fault all the judges should be made to watch videos of domestic violence and then see how it affects lives very bad and a joke of a sentence ."
Julie Phoenix said: "OMG this is terrible and the person who done this should be punished and gone to jail. Violent against women is unacceptable behaviour."
Prosecutors described how Hughes messaged Miss Burrows at 2am, but it was not received until 4am.
The drunk rugby player demanded she got a taxi back to his house and when she arrived he was confrontational and then threw her on the bed.
The abuse only ended when she managed to text her friend, sending a video clip about what had happened.
Hughes, said to be previously of good character, was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He was also handed 300 hours of community service.
He must undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activity.
A restraining order was imposed.
Hughes must also pay £1,000 in compensation, costs of £620 and a victim surcharge of £122.
