Middletown Man Sentenced 10 Years For Strangling Ex-Girlfriend During Violent Break-In

MIDDLETOWN, RI — A Middletown man was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison after pleading to strangling his girlfriend after breaking into her Cumberland home in 2021.

Robert Leeming, 47, pleaded nolo contendere to felony assault (domestic strangulation) and domestic breaking and entering in Providence County Superior Court on June 19, Attorney General Peter Neronha said.

"The defendant in this case is a habitual violent offender against women and I believe he got what he deserved — a lengthy prison sentence," Neronha said. "Instead of focusing on the defendant, I’d rather highlight the victim. Not only did she demonstrate extraordinary courage while fighting for her life, but she also mustered the strength to provide a victim impact statement to the court prior to her attacker's sentencing. She remains a victim of course, but perhaps more importantly, she is a survivor."

If the case proceeded to trial, prosecutors said they were prepared to prove Leeming broke into his former girlfriend's home and attacked and strangled her on March 20, 2021.

Around 7:15 p.m., Cumberland police responded to a 911 call from the victim, who jumped from her second-story apartment window in an attempt to escape Leeming, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, the victim told police Leeming kicked through her apartment door, threatened to kill her, and punched her in the face, head, and torso, repeatedly. He then threw her to the floor before choking her to the point that the victim said she began to lose consciousness, after which she asked to go to the bathroom, prosecutors said.

In the bathroom, Leeming continued assaulting the victim before leaving the bathroom to go to the kitchen, prosecutors said. Then, the victim opened a window, gripped the sill, and called for help before falling to the ground. Emergency officials brought her to the hospital, where she was treated for fractures in both her heels.

Police got a warrant for the Leeming's arrest and took him into custody on March 25, 2021.

"Cases of domestic violence are especially difficult for the victim, and so I commend this victim for her help in this case," Cumberland Police Chief Matthew Benson said. "I also want to thank everyone who worked to bring this defendant to justice so that he can no longer hurt members of our community."