A woman strangled by her then-partner Michael Cosgrove has bravely spoken out to help others
11:44, 22 Sep 2025Updated 12:09, 22 Sep 2025
Kerry Allan (left) was strangled by Michael Cosgrove(Image: Kerry Allan/ITV)
A woman who was strangled to the point of losing consciousness after an argument with her then-partner has bravely spoken out about her experience.
Michael Cosgrove was jailed for 20 years last Friday (September 19) after being found guilty of intentional strangulation and attempted murder.
He strangled his girlfriend after they returned from the New Order concert at Wythenshawe Park last August, days after she discovered he had been messaging other women on a dating app, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
The victim, Kerry Allan, spoke about her ordeal on ITV’s Good Morning Britain today (Monday).
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It comes as a new report from the Crown Prosecution Service showed a record number of charges of strangulation reaching courts since new legislation was introduced three years ago – with almost 2,400 charges prosecuted by the CPS in the last recorded three-month period.
Ms Allan told Good Morning Britain she was ‘extremely relieved’ Cosgrove had received 20 years in prison for his crimes.
Kerry Allan on Good Morning Britain(Image: ITV)
“I feel like a massive weight’s lifted off my shoulders now,” she said. “I feel vindicated and I’m happy that he’s got such a long sentence.
“I hope it sends a message to any male or female that thinks they can abuse women or treat anybody like that, because it’s not acceptable.”
Minshull Street Crown Court heard Cosgrove first started to strangle Ms Allan in the early hours of August 25, 2024, after she told him she wanted to end the relationship and stay at her mother’s home.
Cosgrove pinned her to her bed and strangled her, before she ‘clawed’ at his hands and he stopped. Ms Allan vomited and began hyperventilating, but Cosgrove continued to abuse her.
He told her: “We are both going to die tonight… You are dead tonight. You know that don’t you? I’m going to kill you and then kill myself.”
Michael Cosgrove and Kerry Allan(Image: Kerry Allan/ITV)
The court heard Cosgrove began to strangle Ms Allan again, prompting her to try and reach the bedroom window to jump out, before he pulled her back onto the bed and continued strangling her past the point of her becoming unconscious.
Neighbours heard the ordeal and called the police, who burst Ms Allan’s front door down in Heald Green, only for Cosgrove to jump out of the bathroom window.
Ms Allan said the incident was the first time Cosgrove had been physically aggressive with her. She told Good Morning Britain she could remember ‘about 90 per cent’ of what happened, which meant she had plenty of evidence to give to police.
“Even when I woke up, it took me probably about 10 minutes to get my head together, but I knew straight away what had happened,” she said.
Cosgrove, 46, of no fixed address but formerly of Wythenshawe, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and intentional strangulation, but was convicted by jurors earlier this year.
Michael Cosgrove has been jailed(Image: GMP)
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and handed a restraining order.
Addressing other women who may be in a dangerous situation, Ms Allan said: “If something feels uncomfortable to you and you know deep down that something doesn’t feel right, that’s instantly a red flag to you, and that’s something that you need to address.”
She added: “If you’re in that sort situation please speak to somebody – because I didn’t speak to somebody. There’s so much help you can get and so many services you can be directed to.”
Katie Nicolson, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Michael Cosgrove sought to take the life of someone he claimed to love in a brutal and vicious attack. Kerry Allan believed she would die, and that is what he intended to happen.
“In this case it was clear: strangulation was this coward’s method of choice to kill. But unfortunately, strangulation as a tactic for abusers to exert control and power over their victims is far from unusual.
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“This conviction is testament to the work achieved across the criminal justice system to improve how we bring together medical evidence, witness accounts and prosecution strategies in domestic abuse cases.
“I cannot commend Kerry enough for her bravery and taking the opportunity to raise awareness so others have the confidence to report these crimes knowing they will be taken seriously.”
Domestic abuse help
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, below you’ll find a list of organisations who can assist you:
Call the UK police non-emergency number, 101, if you need support or advice from the police and it’s not an emergency. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.
Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline – Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, except bank holidays. For anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Includes a language service and advice for the LGBT community.
End the Fear – Includes information on local help all over Greater Manchester.
Wigan and Leigh Dias drop-in centre – Works with women and men who are experiencing or recovering from domestic violence and abusive relationships and helps them to regain control of the situation.
Other support available can be found via: www.gmp.police.uk.