Key Points
- Oxford Crown Court sentenced 43-year-old Christopher Dunbabin, of Reedmace Road, Bicester, to 18 months in prison on 16 September 2026.
- Dunbabin admitted to intentional strangulation, assault by beating, and two counts of criminal damage.
- The offences against his former partner occurred across three separate incidents between October 2025 and May 2026.
- Thames Valley Police released Dunbabin’s mugshot after the sentencing hearing.
- The court heard Dunbabin was previously convicted of assaulting the same woman.
BICESTER (Oxford Daily) September 18, 2026 — A 43-year-old Bicester man has been jailed for 18 months after subjecting his former partner to a series of violent attacks, including punching, choking, and damaging her property, 18 September 2026.
Who Is Christopher Dunbabin and What Sentences Were Handed Down at Oxford Crown Court?
As reported by reporting staff at the Bicester Advertiser and Oxford Mail, Christopher Dunbabin, residing at Reedmace Road, Bicester, was sentenced on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at Oxford Crown Court. Dunbabin pleaded guilty to charges of assault by beating, intentional strangulation, and two counts of criminal damage.
His Honour presiding over the court handed down an 18-month immediate custodial sentence. Following the sentencing, Thames Valley Police released his mugshot to the public. The court record confirmed that no restraining orders were made during the hearing.
What Happened During the Incidents Leading to the Conviction?
According to reporting by media sources covering the court proceedings, prosecutor Beverley Da Costa outlined a series of domestic violence incidents spanning nearly seven months.
As reported by prosecutor Beverley Da Costa, the first incident took place on 12 October 2025, when Dunbabin struck his ex-partner. Ms Da Costa informed the court that Dunbabin punched the victim in the head before apologizing and begging her not to notify law enforcement. The victim escaped his immediate reach and locked herself inside a toilet to seek safety.
The violence escalated early the following year. As detailed by the prosecution, a second altercation occurred on 18 April 2026, during which an argument resulted in Dunbabin pushing the victim onto a sofa. Ms Da Costa stated that Dunbabin placed his hands around the woman’s neck, restricting her capacity to breathe.
Following the physical assault inside the residence, the victim attempted to leave in her motor vehicle. Dunbabin entered the passenger seat uninvited and refused requests to exit. In a fit of anger, he punched the vehicle’s windscreen, smashing the glass.
A third recorded incident occurred on 4 May 2026. As recounted by Ms Da Costa, Dunbabin prepared food but informed his ex-partner that she was prohibited from eating at the table. When the victim retreated upstairs, Dunbabin followed her, shouted at her, grabbed her by the neck, and broke her necklace.
The prosecution further highlighted that Dunbabin was not a first-time domestic violence offender, pointing out to the bench that he held a prior conviction for assault committed against the exact same victim.
Background of the Particular Development
Intentional strangulation was introduced as a standalone criminal offence across England and Wales under Section 70 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which formally amended the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Prior to this statutory revision, acts of strangulation were often prosecuted under lesser assault charges unless severe, permanent physical harm occurred.
The creation of the specific offence reflected widespread legislative recognition that non-fatal strangulation is one of the most prominent indicators of escalating lethality in domestic violence contexts. Thames Valley Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have increasingly prioritized domestic abuse cases involving strangulation, seeking immediate custodial terms at Crown Court trials to ensure public protection and law enforcement accountability.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect the Local Community and Domestic Abuse Victims
The custodial sentence handed down to Christopher Dunbabin and the public release of his mugshot by police are expected to have a notable impact on the local community in Bicester and Oxfordshire:
- Increased Reporting Confidence: The public disclosure of mugshots and firm custodial sentencing for non-fatal strangulation demonstrates to local survivors of domestic violence that police and courts take non-physical or non-life-threatening violence seriously, potentially encouraging higher rates of initial reporting.
- Awareness of Statutory Safeguards: Community awareness around the severity of intentional strangulation charges continues to grow, setting a clearer legal deterrent for repeat perpetrators of domestic abuse.
- Community Vigilance: Releasing offender imagery allows local communities to remain informed regarding individuals convicted of violent crimes in their vicinity, boosting general public awareness upon their eventual release from custody.
