SOWERBY BRIDGE MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULT AND SPITTING ON WOMAN
A man with a history of violence has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after attacking a woman at his Sowerby Bridge flat by spitting in her face and grabbing her by the throat.At Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday, it was disclosed that the incident happened in March, shortly after Bailey Betker had begun a series of domestic abuse incidents.
Prosecutor Carmel Pearson told the court that Betker, aged 26, was still on a prison license at the time of the assault and had previously amassed 21 convictions for nearly 40 offenses.
In 2022, Betker was sentenced to two years for wounding and had a criminal record that included convictions for criminal damage, assault, cannabis cultivation, and burglary.
Residing on Burnley Road, Betker was engaged in a brief casual relationship with the complainant, which lasted about four months.
She described Betker as someone who had angry outbursts over minor issues.
In February, he attempted to persuade her to stay at his flat and refused to return her keys.
During the court hearing, it was described how Betker displayed a large knife and waved it around before placing it back in his bedroom.
When she refused to stay, he threw her keys and attacked her from behind, gripping her neck.
He squeezed her neck, cleared his throat, and then spat in her face.
During the altercation, he also threatened to break windows at a friend’s house.
Photos from the case show Betker appearing in custody at Bradford Crown Court.
The woman managed to leave the flat but was later subjected to another violent episode when Betker prepared and smoked a cannabis cigarette.
He became aggressive again, grabbing her neck, squeezing, and spitting on her a second time.
She felt as if her feet were lifting off the ground and had trouble breathing; Betker eventually released her, and she became unwell.
She later reported suffering from anxiety and insomnia in her victim statement.
Betker pleaded guilty to charges of intentional strangulation, assault, and threats to cause property damage.
His legal representative, Ella Embleton, provided a psychological report indicating diagnoses of ADHD and conduct disorder, stating that Betker struggles with rational responses in confrontational situations and lacks insight.
She also noted that he accepts his actions were wrong and that imprisonment was inevitable.
The court sentenced him to 30 months in prison and issued a five-year restraining order to keep him away from the victim.
