2013: MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULT ON GIRLFRIEND AND PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE
A Batchley man who attacked his girlfriend and then tried to persuade her not to give evidence against him has been sentenced to 11 months in prison.Christopher Lewis, aged 27, pleaded guilty to common assault and perverting the course of justice and was taken into custody by Worcester Crown Court on October 17.
Judge Michael Cullum described the attack on a young woman in her own home, followed by his attempts to avoid the consequences, as a serious case.
Lewis of Salters Lane, Batchley, pinned his then-girlfriend Emily Walters to their bed, slapped her, and threw her out of their flat during an argument on May 3.
Prosecutor William Rickarby stated Lewis then grabbed Miss Walters by the throat, pushed her against a cupboard, and held her for approximately two minutes before she managed to escape and call her father.
Lewis had been due to stand trial in June, but prior to the hearing, he spoke to several people trying to persuade them to dissuade her from giving evidence.
He also dropped cash at her feet on the morning of the trial.
Additionally, he violated a suspended sentence order from July last year for burglary, which he admitted.
Defense attorney Charles Hamer explained Lewis suffers from adult ADHD, leading to impulsive behavior, and claimed he only tried to prevent her from testifying because he hoped for reconciliation.
Lewis has a lengthy criminal record including fraud and theft.
The court sentenced him to two months for common assault, six months for perverting the course of justice, and three months for breaching his suspended sentence, to run consecutively.
Judge Cullum emphasized the need for custody, warning Lewis that further offenses would result in imprisonment.
