Craig Anthony McMillian stands trial charged with choking ex-partner in her Mount Gambier home

A grandmother has recounted the traumatic moment she says she fought to save her life as her ex-partner allegedly choked her “in a fit of jealousy”.

A Mount Gambier woman who was allegedly forced to fight for her life at the hands of her ex-partner has recounted the traumatic attack in court.

The 60-year-old described the moment she says Craig Anthony McMillian locked her dogs out, entered her home, grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the couch but he says she fell.

McMillian is standing trial in the Mount Gambier District Court having pleaded not guilty to aggravated serious criminal trespass, unlawfully choking another and two counts of aggravated assault.

Prosecutor Robert Walker alleged the accused let himself in the back door of the Mount Gambier house “unannounced and without warning” knowing his alleged victim was home.

Craig Anthony McMillian is standing trial in the Mount Gambier District Court having pleaded not guilty to aggravated serious criminal trespass, unlawfully choking another and two counts of aggravated assault. Picture: Jessica Ball

Mr Walker told the jury the couple had known each other for 20 years before beginning a relationship in mid-2019 until February 2020, when they broke up.

Text messages showed McMillian wanted to collect his belongings in an attempt to talk to her.

“The accused, in a fit of jealousy, entered her house after a break-up and assaulted her,” Mr Walker said.

Mr Walker said McMillian put a single hand around her throat for a short period of time before using both hands and “squeezed until she couldn’t breath”.

“Completely without warning the accused appeared in front of her and took her phone.”

Giving evidence, the alleged victim – a mother of two and a grandmother – labelled the relationship as “toxic” and said the final of three conversations about his controlling behaviour was had in the week leading up to the charged February 21 attack.

“I didn’t want to be controlled or told what to do,” she said.

“He just seemed to have to follow me everywhere, even to the toilet.”

On the night of the attack she was wearing pyjamas, watching television and drinking wine with soda when he appeared in front of her, the jury heard.

“He launched me onto the couch with his hands around my neck and wouldn’t let go,” she said.

“He was standing over me.

“He was staring at me with crazy eyes.

“It was like being underwater.

“I felt like everything was shutting down.

“In that moment of trying to save my life.”

The jury heard McMillian stopped when asked before pushing her back down to prevent her running outside screaming.

The alleged victim said she cowered, promising not to tell and distracting the accused by talking about his family as she hid knives.

Craig Anthony McMillian pictured at the Mount Gambier Courthouse. Picture: Jessica Ball

“I didn’t know how to get out of it or what was next,” she said.

“I knew I had to change whatever was going on in his head.”

The woman felt “guilty” reporting the incident to the Mount Gambier Police Station the next day, later presenting at Mount Gambier Hospital with swollen and bruised chest and neck, struggling to swallow and talk.

Five photographs, taken three days afterwards, were tendered.

In cross examination defence lawyer Nick Healy said they showed a single bruise and alleged the hospital examination found “no obvious soft tissue swelling”.

“That wasn’t caused by anything that occurred on Friday the 21st of February was it?” Mr Healy said.

“Mr McMillian did not at any time attempt to strangle you.

“At no time was physically aggressive towards you.

“At no time placed his hand around your throat.

“You invented these allegations.”

Instead, Mr Healy argued McMillian visited late at night to discuss the relationship.

The jury heard the woman was yelling, the defendant put a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her down before she tripped and fell in her “intoxicated” state.

“Mr McMillian entered your house via the laundry door, appeared in your lounge room and told you he wanted to talk, he sat on the ottoman in front of you,” he said.

“You tripped over the ottoman and fell backyards pulling him with you.

“Mr McMillian ends up on top of you ... any hands he places on you was to break his fall.”

The woman‘s response to every one of Mr Healy submissions was the same, labelling every one of them a “lie”.

Afterwards the pair had a “heated” discussion ending the relationship in the kitchen, Mr Healy alleged.

McMillian later sent a text message to the woman which Mr Healy submitted referred to the break-up not an assault.

“Sorry means nothing to you right now and nor should it,” the message read.

“I’m so, so sorry, my life will be in your hands and if you ever need anything I will deliver it for you.

“I will forever love you and be your friend knowing now I can only admire you from a distance.”

The trial continues at the Mount Gambier District Court.