'Violent' Daventry man who strangled woman and set fire to home sees prison sentence increased
A “violent” Daventry man, who strangled a woman and set fire to her home, has had his prison sentenced increased.
James Wheatley-Taylor, from Daventry, was subject to a Court of Appeal hearing on March 31, 2026, following his initial sentencing on December 3, 2025.
Wheatley-Taylor was originally sentenced to five years in prison for criminal damage, intentional strangulation and arson offences. At the Court of Appeal hearing, this was increased to an extended sentence of nine years, comprising of five years imprisonment with a four year extended license period.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Wheatley-Taylor assaulted a woman on April 10 2025, squeezing her neck and restricting her breathing for 40 seconds.
In a second incident on April 25, Wheatley-Taylor attempted to set fire to the victim’s flat after she had asked him to leave. She suffered burns to her hand.
Before these incidents, Wheatley-Taylor had smashed the victim’s windows. He also had 21 convictions for 31 offences.
In a victim personal statement, the victim said that she suffers from mental health issues as a result of the abuse and now struggles to trust people.
The Solicitor General referred this case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP said: “James Wheatley-Taylor is a violent man.
“I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase his sentence following my referral. As Solicitor General, I will continue to tackle domestic abuse and I would like to commend the victim for the bravery she has shown throughout this traumatic ordeal.”
Wheatley-Taylor is also subject to a 10-year restraining order.