Bishop Auckland, England — A 39-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison for a violent assault on his former partner, which left her fearing for her life. Irmantas Zilinskas was convicted of strangling the woman with a towel and suffocating her during a horrific incident in a County Durham home.
The attack unfolded after an evening of heavy drinking on June 19, 2025. Zilinskas, described as intoxicated by the victim, returned home with her and quickly became violent. As she attempted to go upstairs, he ambushed her, covering her mouth and nose while she struggled to breathe. His chilling remark, “no one is coming for you,” further intensified her terror, according to court testimonies.
During the assault, Zilinskas escalated the violence by wrapping a towel around the woman’s neck. Prosecutor Rachel Butt recounted the incident, stating that she fell to the ground gasping for air, trying in vain to scream for help. In a desperate bid to escape, the victim faked an epileptic seizure, momentarily causing him to loosen his grip.
The attack continued despite her attempts to resist. Zilinskas pinned her down and subsequently forced her into the bathroom. After a physical struggle, she managed to kick a mirror, injuring her ankle in the process. It was only after this that Zilinskas drove her to the hospital, where she managed to convey her distress. Security footage from a petrol station captured her writing “help” on a fogged-up car window before she fled towards a police officer stationed nearby.
Initially, Zilinskas denied the assault, asserting that the victim had been the aggressor. However, evidence and witness accounts led to the charges against him. In her victim statement, the woman expressed her belief that she was on the brink of death during the harrowing experience.
Zilinskas’s defense attorney, Jonathan Walker, contended that his client had no prior convictions and expressed remorse for his actions. Walker stated that Zilinskas had lived a law-abiding life for over a decade in the UK and had intended to seek medical assistance for the victim. “His intention was to get care for his former partner,” Walker argued.
However, Judge Advocate Thomas Mitchell described the attack as “a terrible and violent assault, aggravated by drink.” He emphasized the need for accountability for such behavior, ultimately sentencing Zilinskas to 36 months in prison. Furthermore, the court imposed a lifelong restraining order to ensure the victim’s protection.
This case underscores the ongoing concerns surrounding domestic violence, particularly the risks that can escalate from seemingly ordinary situations. Authorities continue to advocate for increased awareness and resources for victims seeking support in similar circumstances.