Builder who almost choked girlfriend to death as she slept jailed 18 years for attempted murder

Builder who choked his girlfriend nearly to death then claimed he had been dreaming about cage fighting is jailed for 18 years for attempted murder

  • Bradley Souto, 30, attacked his partner Rebecca Jackson as she slept in 2019 
  • He said he was dreaming about cage fighting and had opponent in chokehold 
  • Father-of-two Souto was today jailed for 18 years after Derby Crown Court trial

Bradley Souto, 30, was today jailed for 18 years for the attempted murder of Rebecca Jackson

A builder who choked his girlfriend nearly to death then claimed he had been dreaming about cage fighting has today been jailed for attempted murder.

Bradley Souto, 30, was handed the 18-year sentence for attacking his partner Rebecca Jackson in her sleep Alvaston, Derby, in November 2019.

He claimed he had been dreaming about cage fighting, and had his fictitious opponent in a chokehold before he woke to find himself with his hands around her neck.

After Ms Jackson fell unconscious, Derby Crown Court heard he called his mother who told him to contact emergency services.  

Paramedics rushed to the scene and were able to save the life of Ms Jackson, who is the mother of Souto’s two children. 

Souto was arrested and charged with attempted murder, which he denied during a two-week trial at Derby Crown Court. Jurors found him guilty of the charge. 

In a victim impact statement read to the court today, Ms Jackson explained her life was ‘completely turned upside down’ by the attack.   

She said: ‘I am dealing with the consequences of his actions each and every day, and my children are also dealing with that. 

‘I can’t imagine a time when my life will ever be normal again. 

‘I can no longer let my children hug me around my neck, it upsets and panics me and makes me wince at the feeling. 

Souto claimed he had been dreaming about cage fighting, and had his fictitious opponent in a chokehold before he woke to find himself with his hands around her neck. Pictured: The scene in November 2019

Souto claimed he had been dreaming about cage fighting, and had his fictitious opponent in a chokehold before he woke to find himself with his hands around her neck. Pictured: The scene in November 2019

‘The children now know that they can’t hug me around my neck. They know that Bradley hurt my neck and the reason why I don’t like it. 

‘I don’t think that the children are going to hurt me, but the feeling of arms around my neck is no longer a comfort to me.

‘The thought of having another relationship terrifies me, and I do not know whether or not I will ever be able to have a relationship again.

‘Right now, I do not want another relationship. I don’t know at the minute whether I could ever trust another person enough to enter into a relationship with them. 

‘I do know that the thought of sharing a bed with somebody ever again terrifies me.

‘I am lucky to have had my family around me. My parents and sister have been so supportive of me through this difficult time, and I could not have made it through were it not for them and my children.’

DC Joe Lovelock, who led the investigation, said: ‘This was an extremely unusual case and could so easily have seen a murder charge being put before the court – had it not been for an ambulance being so close to the scene.

‘The case relied on expert analysis of Souto’s claims along with the compelling evidence from Rebecca.

‘One can only begin to imagine the shock and abject terror that she must have felt that night and I can only thank her for her fortitude and unswerving support for the case.

‘Nearly 18 months on from that night the impact of Bradley Souto’s actions are still being felt, however, I hope that today’s sentence provides closure for Rebecca and allows her to begin rebuilding her life.’