Denis Lokietek – Watton, Norfolk

2026 – Jail for man after strangling ex-partner in Norfolk

A desperate woman broke her hand as she tried to fend off an abusive ex-partner as he attacked her, a court has heard.

The woman had previously been in a relationship with Denis Lokietek but it ended in February 2024 although the defendant refused to accept the split.

Norwich Crown Court heard Lokietek, assaulted the victim in August 2024 when he turned up at her address in Watton and pushed her backwards into the property.

Timothy Fulford, prosecuting, said he also struck her to the face in the incident after which Lokietek was arrested and bailed with conditions not to contact the victim.

But despite these conditions the 21-year-old continued to flout them and contacted her and attended the address on “multiple occasions”.

On one such occasion in October 2024 the victim told Lokietek she was not scared of him but he insisted “you should be”.

He “grabbed her by the neck with both hands” to the extent she felt she could not breathe.

The victim repeatedly hit Lokietek “around 10 to 11 times” and had to go to hospital as a result of breaking her hand in her bid to get him off her.

Lokietek, of no fixed address, appeared at court this week having admitted an offence of intentional strangulation, harassment and three counts of assault.

Before Lokietek was sentenced an impact statement read out in court heard the victim’s physical and mental health had been affected by the defendant’s “evil” actions.

She said she “suffered night terrors as a result of what he’s done”.

Imposing a 35-month jail sentence, Judge David Pugh said it is clear Lokietek “didn’t accept” the ending of the relationship but insisted his actions have had a “significant” impact upon the victim.

Danielle O’Donovan, mitigating, said it had been a “volatile relationship” for the defendant who had himself experienced “significant” domestic violence in his past.

The barrister said since being in custody Lokietek had taken up origami which was a “real skill” which had helped him.

Lokietek was also made the subject of a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly for the next seven years.