A TEENAGER has been charged with strangulation in what is believed to be the first instance of a Warrington defendant facing such a count.

Ryan Holmes, from Culcheth, faces the charge in relation to an incident in Bury earlier this month.

This specific criminal offence came into force nationally at the beginning of June 2022 and has only been used once in Cheshire previously, relating to a 30-year-old man from Runcorn.

The 19-year-old suspect, of Birchall Avenue, appeared before Manchester Magistrates Court on Saturday, June 18, after being charged with intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault, battery and a malicious communications offence.

He has been released on conditional bail ahead of a scheduled trial at Bolton Magistrates Court in September.