Aaron Patching is in prison after subjecting his partner to a prolonged and violent campaign of domestic abuse in Witham, Essex. The 29-year-old bricklayer was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court in April 2026 to a total of more than four years in custody for intentional strangulation, actual bodily harm, and criminal damage — all committed while he was already serving a suspended sentence.

Who Is Aaron Patching?

Aaron Patching, 29, of Hatfield Road, Witham, Essex, worked as a bricklayer. He had a previous criminal record at the time of his offending and was already subject to a suspended sentence when he committed the domestic abuse offences for which he was subsequently jailed. He has three daughters from a previous relationship. His barrister told the court that Patching had been a model prisoner since being remanded in custody and had expressed remorse for his conduct.

What Did Aaron Patching Do?

Aaron Patching subjected a woman — with whom he had been in a relationship since May 2023 — to repeated brutal assaults at her home in Witham. The relationship deteriorated and the abuse escalated over a number of months. In one incident, when the woman asked Patching to leave her bedroom, he kicked the door off its hinges. On 2 February 2026, he arrived at the woman’s home and, when she said his mood made her feel uneasy, he flew into a rage, slapping her across the face three times, shoving her, and headbutting her in the face. The following day, he removed a glass pane from a back door to gain entry to the property, chased her upstairs, pinned her against her bed, bit her cheek, and then wrapped a phone charger cable around her neck — strangling her for several seconds. He also threatened to set her on fire using a lighter and a deodorant can, and shook her so violently that she bit her own cheek. When the victim called police, Patching could be heard threatening to kill her before fleeing to his mother’s address. The victim told the court she still feared he would kill her when released from prison.

Trial and Sentencing

Patching admitted three charges of actual bodily harm, one charge of intentional strangulation, and one count of criminal damage. He appeared for sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court via video link from HMP Chelmsford, where he had been remanded since his arrest. Recorder Tom Day presided over the sentencing hearing. The prosecution was led by Kellina Gannon, and Daniel O’Malley spoke in mitigation. Patching was also in breach of a previously suspended sentence at the time of the offending, which was activated as part of the sentencing. Essex Police confirmed the outcome of the case.

The Sentence Explained

Recorder Tom Day sentenced Aaron Patching to three years for intentional strangulation, one year and four months for the assault charges (to run consecutively to the strangulation term), and activated the existing one year and four month suspended sentence (to run concurrently). No separate penalty was imposed for the criminal damage offence. The effective custodial sentence is therefore four years and four months. Patching was also made subject to a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £150. Families of people serving sentences for domestic abuse offences can learn about booking prison visits and sending money to a prisoner through official channels. Upon release, Patching will be subject to licence conditions and Parole Board oversight given the nature of his offending.

Victim Impact

The victim provided a statement to the court in which she described the lasting psychological and physical impact of Patching’s abuse. She told the court she remained so frightened of him that she feared he would kill her once he was released from prison. Members of the public gallery reacted audibly during the sentencing, reflecting the strength of feeling in the courtroom. Essex Police welcomed the sentence, highlighting that Patching had committed all of his offences while already serving a suspended sentence, demonstrating the seriousness with which the courts take such repeat and escalating domestic violence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Aaron Patching in prison?

Aaron Patching is in prison because he subjected his partner to a sustained campaign of domestic abuse in Witham, Essex. His offences included intentional strangulation, three counts of actual bodily harm, and criminal damage. He also breached a suspended sentence that was already in place. He was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court to more than four years in custody.

How long is Aaron Patching in prison for?

Aaron Patching received a total effective custodial sentence of four years and four months. This comprises three years for intentional strangulation and one year and four months for the assault charges, to run consecutively. The separately activated suspended sentence of one year and four months runs concurrently and does not add to the overall term.

What did Aaron Patching do to his victim?

Aaron Patching assaulted his partner on multiple occasions in Witham. The most serious incident involved him gaining entry to her home by removing a glass pane from a back door, chasing her upstairs, pinning her down and strangling her with a phone charger cable. He also threatened to set her on fire, headbutted her, slapped her, and shook her violently. The victim told the court she still feared Patching would kill her when he was released.

Where did Aaron Patching commit his offences?

Aaron Patching committed his domestic abuse offences at the victim’s home in Witham, Essex. He was of Hatfield Road, Witham, and appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing via video link from HMP Chelmsford, where he had been held on remand.

Was Aaron Patching already in trouble with the law?

Yes. At the time Aaron Patching committed his domestic abuse offences, he was already serving a suspended sentence. The court activated that suspended sentence as part of his overall sentencing, and it runs concurrently with his other terms. The fact that all his offences were committed while on a suspended sentence was treated as an aggravating factor by the court.