A mother of three was strangled by her former fiancé, who she described as “evil,” causing her to fear for her life. Daniel Gee, with a history of domestic abuse convictions, choked Melissa Keeley until she struggled to breathe, leading to his recent 18-month imprisonment due to concerns of potential reoffending.

Melissa recounted the harrowing incident that occurred on October 11, 2022, when Gee, in a fit of rage, attacked her as they were about to go on a fishing trip. She detailed how he aggressively grabbed her by the throat, causing her to gasp for air and feel helpless.

Despite Gee’s denial during police interviews, claiming self-defense, Melissa’s account of the assault revealed the true extent of his violent behavior. She emphasized that Gee’s initial charm and affection had masked his manipulative tactics, including gaslighting and love-bombing, to gain her trust.

In court, Gee’s defense acknowledged his need for rehabilitative intervention to address his longstanding pattern of offenses dating back to 2008. However, Judge Simon Taylor KC highlighted Gee’s repeated instances of violence, underscoring the high risk he posed to society.

Ultimately, Gee received an 18-month prison sentence and a 10-year restraining order to prevent contact with Melissa. Despite his traumatic past, the judge emphasized Gee’s ongoing denial of his actions as indicative of his continued cowardly behavior and high likelihood of reoffending.