Man jailed after strangling ex-partner in the street
Fred Lamb, 43, called out to the victim as she cycled past the Grafton Centre car park in Cambridge
Last updated 17th Aug 2026
A man who followed his ex-partner before strangling her has been jailed.
Fred Lamb, 43, called out to the victim as she cycled past the Grafton Centre car park in Cambridge at about 6pm on 23 February.
The victim ignored him and continued cycling, but Lamb followed her on his bicycle, repeatedly shouting her name.
Lamb then followed her into Discovery Way and deliberately crashed the front wheel of his bike into hers, causing her to fall to the ground. He then got on top of her and shouted: "Give me your money."
The victim attempted to escape, but Lamb grabbed her by the hair and rummaged through her pockets looking for money. When she pushed him away with both hands, he bit her fingers.
CCTV audio captured the victim telling him: "I'm not coming with you, let go of me. Just go, just go."
She was later heard saying: "Please, you're being nasty," before screaming: "He's biting me, help, help."
The victim managed to break free and ran towards a nearby address. However, as she reached the front door, Lamb placed his hands around her neck and squeezed, causing her to feel as though she was losing consciousness.
Two members of the public shouted that they were calling the police and told Lamb to leave the victim alone, before he walked away.
Officers arrived at the scene and found Lamb hiding in a bush in a nearby street, where he was arrested.
At Peterborough Crown Court on Thursday, 13 August, Lamb, of no fixed abode in the Cambridge area, was sentenced to one year and four months in prison after pleading guilty to intentional strangulation. A charge of assault with intent to commit robbery was ordered to lie on file.
DC Edward McAuley said: "This was a terrifying attack on a woman who was simply trying to go about her day. Lamb repeatedly targeted the victim, assaulted her and then strangled her as she desperately tried to get away from him.
"Strangulation is an extremely serious offence which can have devastating and long-lasting physical and psychological effects. I would like to commend the victim for her bravery throughout the investigation and thank the members of the public who stepped in to help and contacted police.
"I hope this sentence demonstrates that we will pursue offenders and do everything we can to protect victims from violence and abuse."