Kent Police was called to a petrol station after a woman fled a private property following a violent incident in the early hours of 13 February 2026.
The victim who was strangled during the brutal assault in Chatham has now seen her attacker jailed. She told officers that a man she knew, Charlie Stefano, had grabbed her twice by the throat, once as he dragged her across a floor and held her over a staircase.
Stephano had also kicked her and snapped her phone in half. She had managed to escape the address when Stefano was distracted and members of the public had called the police for her.
Stefano, 35, from Dagenham was tracked down and arrested later the same day. He was charged and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to intentional strangulation and causing actual bodily harm. Two further charges of criminal damage and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour were ordered to lie on file.
On Tuesday 18 August, Stefano was sentenced to 2 years and 10 months in prison and given a 6-year restraining order.
Detective Sergeant Leighton Prior said:
‘A woman has been left traumatised by Stefano’s actions and I hope the prison sentence and restraining order can bring her some closure.
‘I would like to commend her courage in supporting his prosecution and ensuring a man who is a clear danger to women is now behind bars.’