Violent man with history of domestic abuse has his sentence increased following the Solicitor's intervention after he strangled ex-partner.
James Wheatley-Taylor, from Daventry in West Northamptonshire, had his sentence increased from five years to an extended sentence of nine years comprising of five years imprisonment with a four-year extended license period, after the Solicitor General referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
The court heard that Wheatley-Taylor assaulted his ex-partner in her home in Hartlepool on 10 April 2025, squeezing her neck and restricting her breathing for 40 seconds.
In a second incident later that same month on 25 April, Wheatley-Taylor attempted to set fire to the victim's flat after she had asked him to leave her home following a row. His ex-partner suffered burns to her hand.
Before these incidents, Wheatley-Taylor had smashed the victim's windows. He also had 21 convictions for 31 offences, with two convictions connected to previous domestic violence incidents.
In a Victim Personal Statement, the victim said that she suffers from mental health issues as a result of the abuse and now struggles to trust people.
The Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP said:
James Wheatley-Taylor is a violent man with a history of domestic violence. He brutally assaulted his ex-partner before attempting to set fire to her flat, which could have led to fatal consequences.
I welcome the Court of Appeal's decision to increase his sentence following my referral. As Solicitor General, I will continue to tackle domestic abuse and I would like to commend the victim for the bravery she has shown throughout this traumatic ordeal.
On 3 December at Grimsby Crown Court, James Wheatley-Taylor was sentenced to five years for criminal damage, intentional strangulation and arson offences. He also received a 10-year restraining order.
On 31 March 2026, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to an extended sentence of 9-years comprising of 5 years imprisonment with a 4-year extended license period
