A Cheshire councillor 'charged' at his partner and put his hand around her throat after a row erupted following a comment about sex as they watched TV, a court heard.

Ashley Farrall, who represents Macclesfield Central on Cheshire East Council, appeared at Chester Crown Court today (Tuesday, August 5) to stand trial on charges of strangulation and trying to pervert the course of justice, both of which he denies.

The court was told that on November 14 last year, he was at home in Macclesfield with his partner as their baby son slept upstairs.

The prosecution alleges as they were watching a TV show called Married at First Sight, the 43-year-old made a comment that for him sex was 'not just physical' but 'emotional as well'.

His partner – who gave evidence in court from behind a screen – said she 'responded with a sarcastic comment' and that he reacted 'badly'.

The court heard that an argument ensued before she decided to go to bed.

She said Farrall followed her upstairs to 'carry on the argument', at which point she decided to go to their spare room.

The woman picked up her phone, baby monitor and a glass of water and attempted to get past him. She alleged that he swiped the monitor and phone to the floor and she dropped her water.

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Once out on the landing the prosecution alleged Farrall then became violent.

Chester Crown Court (Credit: LDRS)

Rosemary Proctor, prosecuting, said: "He shouted that she was 'mad' and that their 'relationship was over'. He charged at her, pushed her against the banister and grabbed her throat with one hand."

The court was told she scratched his face to get away and then went to collect their son, who by now she said was screaming in the next room. She then called the police and waited outside their home for officers to arrive.

Police bodycam footage shown in court showed the woman tell the responding officer that during the alleged attack she 'couldn't breath' and feared she would die.

But she also told officers that Farrall had never been violent to her before.

During the following weeks as a case was being built against Farrall, now of Ellenbrook Road, Manchester, the court was told how the two met several times and how he provided her with a different phone so they could talk on WhatsApp and discuss her retracting her statement, which she later did.

His partner – who became emotional at several points during cross-examination – told the court she initially retracted her statement on the understanding he would plead guilty, get counselling, and see a GP, adding she did not want to 'ruin his career' and also wanted to 'keep the family together'.

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But following another meeting between the pair after she had withdrawn her statement, she claimed his attitude again changed.

She told the court: "He said I was remembering things inaccurately and said 'you just want me to go to prison'. But I'd spent months trying to get him home to us."

Farrall denies the charges. The trial continues.