A 'brave bystander' who intervened as a woman was being strangled to unconciousness by her partner has been praised by police for 'saving her life'.

Dane Pretlove, aged 22, from Newbury, pleaded guilty to a count each of intentional strangulation and assault by beating in a hearing at Reading Crown Court on February 24.

At just after midnight on September 18 last year, a 999 call was received from a neighbour who heard a commotion coming from outside her flat in Newbury.

The witness went to investigate and heard a woman shouting from inside the property. The witness rang the doorbell and Pretlove answered the door, at which point, the witness asked to see the woman inside the property.

Pretlove shut the door and then opened it again, with the victim at the door crying and holding her neck.

As the witness attempted to intervene, Pretlove strangled his victim to the point of unconsciousness. The witness attempted to intervene but was assaulted by Pretlove, who pushed her out of the way.

Pretlove was arrested at the scene and later pleaded guilty to the charges. He was sentenced on March 30.

Read more from in court - Newbury man jailed for strangling partner who said it was 'rough sex'

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Amelia Tanner, based at Reading police station, said: “This was a vicious and dangerous attack on two people, which could have resulted in fatal consequences.

“Strangulation is used to instil fear and exert control over a victim and can have very serious medical implications.

“Having attacked the first victim, Pretlove went on to assault another person who had come to the victim’s assistance.

“The specific offence of non-fatal strangulation came into law in June 2022 and this is one of the first convictions we have seen for it in Reading.

“I would like to commend the brave actions of the bystander who attempted to intervene. Without their courage, the first victim may have lost their life.

“Thames Valley Police takes violence against women and girls seriously. We work closely with partner agencies to seek to safeguard victims and bring offenders to justice.”