A thug left his partner fearing for her life after he launched a vicious attack on her over a mistake that saw them miss out on the £167,000 Postcode Lottery.

On hearing that her neighbours had scooped the massive prize, she checked to see whether a share of the win was coming her way. But she was left devastated to realise she was still registered at her previous address, meaning she didn’t win a penny. Lee Goldsborough, 50, her then boyfriend, first launched a verbal assault against her before getting physical, squeezing and twisting her neck and leaving her fearing he would kill her.

Providing background to the case, prosecutor Nicholas Lane told Newcastle Crown Court how the couple met on a night out in December 2023, according to Chronicle Live. But the first sign the relationship was unhealthy came in February 2024, when she booted her in the bottom for being “slow”. The next assault came after she missed out on the lottery win.

Mr Lane said: “She would have won £167,000 but unfortunately hadn’t informed the Postcode Lottery of her new address and was still registered as living at her previous address, meaning she didn’t win anything. Understandably, she states she was devastated. However, instead of being sympathetic, he became angry and verbally abusive towards her, calling her stupid.”

The court heard when they met in the pub later that evening and Goldsborough was verbally abusive to the point other customers intervened. It was after they left the bar that he became violent in the taxi home. Mr Lane said: “He punched her to the face, pulled her hair and squeezed her neck in a hold, twisting it to the side with such force she believed he as trying to break her neck. She was in considerable pain and terrified.”

Goldsborough later made a joke about the violence, that left her face bruised and said ‘that’s what make-up is for’. About a week after the attack Goldsborough punched her face again, after she mentioned an ex-partner of his. He also caused damage in her home by ripping the stairway banister completely off the wall and broke a large mirror.

The woman said in an impact statement: “I am terrified of Goldsborough, I really believe he could kill me and genuinely feared for my life when he tried to snap my neck. I’m a shadow of the person I was before I met him.” Goldsborough, of Cedar Road, Fenham, Newcastle, has a record for serious violence and received indefinite imprisonment for public protection (IPP) in 2006.

Tony Davis, defending, said the public protection jail term had a ‘devastating impact’ on Goldsborough and his ability to manage the emotional demands of a normal relationship. Goldsborough admitted intentional strangulation, assault and criminal damage charges.

Sentencing him to four years in prison, Recorder Simon Goldberg KC told him: “She thought she was going to die.” Mr Davis said after being recalled on that sentence, Goldsborough will have to serve the jail term imposed for the new offences, followed by a further 12 months before he can apply for parole again.

For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk.

If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit** www.aafda.org.uk**.

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