TORQUAY TEENAGER JAILED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ASSAULT
A violent teenager from Torquay has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for brutally assaulting his partner in a sustained attack.Bradley Darke, aged 19, admitted to the offences of actual bodily harm (ABH), kidnap, and escape during his court appearance at Exeter Crown Court.
The court heard that Darke was aggressive and threatening throughout the relationship and took pleasure in being violent.
His abusive behavior began shortly after they started dating, with incidents such as preventing the woman from leaving his flat, punching walls, shouting, and pushing her over, as described by prosecutor Mr.
Nigel Wraith.
The assault in April last year was severe and was captured on CCTV, which the judge stated showed 'significant violence' and was very difficult to watch.
The police reports detailed that during a report of violence in Fleet Walk in June 2022, Darke managed to slip away from police while in handcuffs but was later arrested at home.
He claimed he 'panicked during a moment of madness.' The judge commented that Darke treated the woman 'abominably,' dragging and pushing her, and being physically and mentally violent, causing injury and distress.
The victim expressed fear of future relationships, feeling traumatized and suffering from complex PTSD.
The case also revealed that Darke's behavior was out of control, and the CCTV footage received praise from the recorder for its depiction of untreated violence.
Despite a difficult childhood and previous good character, Darke was sentenced to prison, having previously disputed some aspects of the violence, with a fact-finding hearing held beforehand.
