London man jailed for 43 months for strangling woman in Colchester
Daniel Baptiste had grabbed the victim by the neck and lifted her off the ground, stopping her breathing.
A 46-year-old London man has been jailed for more than three years for attacking and strangling a woman in Colchester.
Daniel Baptiste, of Mendip Close, Sydenham, was sentenced to 43 months in prison at Ipswich Crown Court on 17th December 2025, after pleading guilty to non-fatal strangulation and assault by beating in connection with an incident from July 2024.
The victim, a woman in her 40s, contacted Essex Police in April 2025 shortly after Baptiste had grabbed her by the neck, lifted her off the ground, and stopped her breathing.
Investigation and sentencing
Police launched an investigation into the attack, led by the Public Protection Investigation Team and the Domestic Abuse Investigation Team.
Officers supported the woman, who decided to make a statement about the assault and disclosed more information about Baptiste’s behaviour in the following weeks.
Baptiste was arrested upon returning to the UK and charged. His sentencing included 25 months for the attack, with an unrelated suspended sentence being activated, adding a consecutive 18-month term.
A restraining order was also issued against him for seven years.
Victim’s gratitude toward investigators
Speaking after the sentencing, the victim expressed her gratitude to those who worked on her case, naming several Essex Police officers for their support and thorough investigation.
“Without them believing in me and helping me to open my eyes to the abuse I suffered I know that I wouldn’t be here today. I cannot thank them enough,” she said.
“I hope that by me speaking the truth and the defendant being brought to justice that I have saved many other women.”
Detective Jade Gwillim said: “The strength of this woman and her support of our investigation is what made this result possible.
We are all pleased to see Baptiste given a lengthy sentence for his crimes – it is an example of all the work we are doing to reduce violence against women and girls in Essex, and that work carries on every day.”