Cruel abuser tried to strangle partner

A HOME Office pathologist has told a trial jury that appalling injuries she found on a woman — allegedly victim to a cruel, sadistic and abusive partner — were consistent with attempts to strangle her.

The woman, who is now 28, was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery to her neck and throat after she went to a local pharmacy in Oldham because she felt ill and was having trouble breathing.

A doctor was called, and he was so concerned at what he saw that an ambulance was immediately called to take her to the Royal Oldham Hospital.

She was transferred to intensive care at Manchester Royal Infirmary, then to intensive care at Wythenshawe Hospital where surgery was carried out.

At first the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, lied about how she had suffered, but she eventually described to police officers how her partner Iqbal Ali had subjected her to prolonged physical, psychological and sexual abuse.

Giving evidence at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, Dr Naomi Carter said had the woman had not sought help and received the treatment she did, when she did, she would have died.

She said the victim’s near fatal injuries included a fractured larynx, perforation of the throat and a serious chest infection.

The woman had described how Ali, of Broadway, Chadderton, had repeatedly punched, kicked and beaten her, throttled her to the point where she lost consciousness, scalded her with boiling water and dropped weights on her feet.

His phone was found to contain numerous sickening photographs of injuries he is said to have inflicted.

Dr Carter told the trial jury that the neck and throat injuries were “entirely consistent” with punches and attempts to strangle her, adding: “I can conceive of no real alternative explanation.”

Asked about the multiple injuries to the rest of her body, including “strikingly symmetrical” extensive bruising to both breasts, she said they were satisfactorily explained by the allegations made against Ali. She said: “I can see no realistic alternative explanation.”

The court had earlier heard how the woman’s plight prompted a police investigation which led to Ali being charged with yet more offences against three other women, all of whom he had had relationships with.

When they were each interviewed at length about their experiences at his hands, a chillingly similar picture emerged: that of a possessive and jealous sadist who controlled his victims in every possible way.

Ali pleads not guilty to 10 charges against the 28-year-old, including two of rape and a further 15 offences against the other three women.

The trial continues.