Bishop Auckland, England — A 39-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for a violent attack against his former partner that left her fearing for her life. Irmantas Zilinskas was convicted of strangulation and suffocation after assaulting the woman during a turbulent night fueled by alcohol.
On June 19, 2025, Zilinskas and the victim returned home after a day of drinking. The situation quickly escalated into violence. According to court testimony, the woman described Zilinskas as heavily intoxicated when he confronted her at their residence in County Durham. As she made her way upstairs to the bedroom, Zilinskas allegedly grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth and nose with his hand, leaving her gasping for air.
The assault took a darker turn when Zilinskas reportedly employed a towel as a ligature, tightening it around her neck. Despite the physical struggle, he continued to mock her pleas for help, chillingly stating, “no one is coming for you.” In a desperate attempt to escape, the victim feigned an epileptic seizure but ultimately lost consciousness. She later awoke in the bathroom to find Zilinskas nearby, reportedly looking panicked.
The violence did not cease there. After the assault, Zilinskas drove the woman to a hospital. While en route, she managed to write “help” on the condensation of a car window at a nearby gas station. Surveillance footage showed her making a run for a police officer, prompting an immediate response.
At Durham Crown Court, prosecutors highlighted the gravity of Zilinskas’s actions. The court was informed that he initially denied the charges, attempting to portray the woman as the aggressor. However, he had previously pleaded guilty, leading to his sentencing.
Zilinskas, who maintains a clean criminal record up to this point, expressed remorse for his actions through his defense attorney. His lawyer argued that Zilinskas, who has lived for more than a decade in the UK without any previous offenses, attempted to help the victim by taking her to the hospital. Despite these claims, the judge characterized Zilinskas’s behavior as a “terrible and violent assault” compounded by alcohol consumption.
Judge Thomas Mitchell sentenced Zilinskas to three years in prison and issued a lifelong restraining order to protect the victim from any further harm. The case has underscored the severe impact of domestic violence, particularly when compounded by substance abuse, prompting discussions about the need for greater awareness and protection for victims.