MAN WHO HAS A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC ABUSE BIT HIS PARTNER ON THE NOSE AND REPEATEDLY PUNCHED HER IN ATTACK ON THE DAY OF HIS FATHER'S FUNERAL
A man assaulted his partner by biting her on the nose and repeatedly striking her in the face, an incident that took place on the same day as his father’s funeral.Ben Stubbs also threatened the mother of his child with a belt and caused approximately £2,000 worth of damage by destroying her property following the assault.
Police had to forcibly enter the home and deploy tasers during his arrest.
Leeds Crown Court was told that Stubbs has a prior record of violence directed at female partners.
The 34-year-old, residing at Arthington View in Hunslet, Leeds, was sentenced to 22 months in prison for the events that occurred on September 25 last year.
Prosecutor Michael Smith explained that the attack happened after the couple returned from Stubbs’s father’s funeral.
He stated that Stubbs’s anger was triggered when his partner mentioned the name of a friend, prompting him to ask, "Why are you talking about him?" Mr Smith added, "He accused her of wanting to start an intimate relationship with that man and the complainant described being hit in the living room." Stubbs then wrapped a belt around his fist and pressed it against her neck.
The prosecution said, "The assault continued in the bedroom where he pinned her down and hit her repeatedly and also bit her on the nose, causing an injury." Despite her injuries, the woman managed to fight off Stubbs and fled with their baby.
Emergency services were summoned but found the house barricaded, as Stubbs had used a sofa to block the entrance while destroying parts of the property.
Damage to the house was estimated at around £2,000, and Stubbs also vandalized photographs of the woman’s older child.
Authorities eventually broke in and used tasers to arrest him.
Stubbs admitted to charges of actual bodily harm and criminal damage.
In court, the woman described suffering cuts and bruises to her face, head, arms, and legs.
It was revealed that Stubbs had sent her messages days before the assault, claiming he was “changing into a bad man” and expressing fears he might harm her.
He appeared in court via video link from Armley jail, raising his hand to state, "She made that statement after she had been through my phone and found out I had been sleeping with another woman.
I would just like to make that clear please." Stubbs has previous convictions for assault and harassment dating back to 2010.
He was previously sentenced to 18 months in 2017 for assaulting a girlfriend.
Defence lawyer Glenn Parsons noted that Stubbs had been largely out of trouble before this incident, having secured work as a roofer and started a family.
Mr Parsons explained that Stubbs’s behaviour worsened after his father’s death, describing his father as his best friend who helped him find employment and stability.
He admitted that he drank excessively on the day of the funeral, which he said led to his regrettable conduct.
In sentencing, Judge Christopher Batty stated, "There is something within you.
"A lack of respect that you have for women and it has manifested itself in a number of different court appearances over a significant period of time."
