Mum broke free after being 'throttled' by ex

A MOTHER-of-two fled her home after her former boyfriend throttled her and threatened to kill her.

Laura McGregor managed to break free from John Moffat and ran to a neighbour's home to seek help after the attack.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the distressed victim was very hoarse and her voice was strained when she got to the neighbour's door. She was taken to hospital and given steroids because of a swollen throat and was found to have bruises on her neck and burst blood vessel marks in the whites of her eyes.

Moffat, 24, described as a prisoner in Edinburgh, was originally charged with attempting to murder Miss McGregor at her home in Elm Terrace, Blackburn, in West Lothian, on 26 September last year.

But yesterday he pled guilty to a reduced charge of serious assault against his victim committed after he had been freed on bail in June from Livingston Sheriff Court.

Moffat placed an arm around her neck and forced her to the floor, compressing her neck and restricting her breathing. He threatened her and closed a door on her finger before compressing her neck again.

Advocate depute Lesley Shand QC said the victim suffered pain and distress following the assault and was prescribed sleeping tablets.

The 24-year-old was formerly in a relationship with Moffat but it came to an end in 2008.

Judge Lord Pentland deferred sentence on Moffat for reports, saying: "This is obviously a very serious matter."