James Riley: The police officer charged with attempted murder
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Fuelled with 'uncontrollable anger and jealous rage', former police officer James Riley attempted to murder his ex-girlfriend Ellie Moxham. Riley was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for attacking Ellie after learning she was planning to start a new relationship.
28-year-old James Riley from Preston strangled his ex-girlfriend leaving her unconscious in a hotel room. This article from Crime+Investigation will delve into the events surrounding the attack and what happened after the victim’s terrifying ordeal.
A chance to reconcile
Ex-Lancashire police officer James Riley and Ellie Moxham were in a relationship for several years and even bought a house in 2021 before things started to deteriorate. The university student advised authorities that the relationship was not a happy one and turned sour when Riley started to become controlling and jealous.
'James destroyed my self-esteem by making derogatory comments about my looks. He said he was superior to me at everything and that I could do nothing right,' she later told reporters. Ellie went on to add that Riley started to become angry at trivial things and that everything was always her fault.
Although the couple’s relationship was over by this point, on 10th November 2022, Ellie agreed to go to a concert with Riley. Thinking this was his chance to reconcile with his ex, he booked a hotel room near Manchester city centre.
A sinister turn
It was at the Manchester hotel that 28-year-old Riley realised his former girlfriend did not share his feelings of reconciliation. He learnt that Ellie was looking to start a new relationship with another man and this is when things started to take a sinister turn.
According to sources, it was evident that Riley: 'Gripped her throat and strangled her with such force over a significant period that her brain was starved of oxygen.'
After the PhD student was strangled, she collapsed unconscious on the hotel room floor. Riley was found to have called his parents for 11 minutes before ringing for an ambulance. The judge told the court: 'You also abandoned Miss Moxham at the scene in an effort to save your own skin.'
The court heard that Riley called his parents to tell them: 'I've killed Ellie and I'm going to kill myself. I just wanted to say goodbye.' This is when his mother contacted the police and Riley himself finally called an ambulance to assist Ellie.
Before calling an ambulance James Riley fled the scene through the hotel’s fire escape.
Eventual arrest and conviction
Luckily after the phone call from Riley’s mum and the CCTV movements from the hotel and train stations, police were able to track the ex-policeman’s movements. James Riley was found in West Yorkshire and arrested.
Later that year James Riley was due to go on trial but a week before he changed his plea to guilty. He entered his plea via video link from HMP Forest Bank in Salford and was remanded in custody by the judge.
James Riley was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 16 years. He was dismissed from his job at the Lancashire police department earlier in the year.
A terrifying ordeal
The court heard how the fierce attack has left lasting damage on Ellie’s cognitive function. Even though she does not remember the attack, she still suffers from the aftermath.
'Although I count myself as extremely fortunate that I cannot remember anything about that night, I frequently have terrifying nightmares in which I am being attacked, strangled and suffocated,' she told the court.
Since the attack, Ellie has suffered from poor concentration, memory problems, constant headaches, and severe fatigue. She has advised how the trauma from the event has caused day-to-day anxiety and a lack of confidence.
A detective at the Manchester Police told reporters: 'We hope now she can move on with the rest of her life safe in the knowledge that he cannot commit this act of violence to anyone else whilst behind bars.'
James Riley was also issued with a restraining order, preventing him from going within 50 metres of Ellie Moxham or contacting her. He must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being released on license.
