DOMESTIC ABUSER CLEON SMITH JAILED FOR 32 YEARS AFTER MEAT CLEAVER ATTACK
A domestic abuser named Cleon Smith, of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to 32 years in prison following a violent attack involving a meat cleaver.The attack involved assaulting a woman and her relatives, with Smith previously beating the woman so severely that she now has a permanent metal plate in her face to hold her eye socket in place.
His campaign of terror started shortly after Christmas 2019, beginning with an assault in Moseley where he punched a woman around 20 times and struck her with a metal baton, causing a fractured cheekbone requiring surgery.
Days later, on 30 December 2019, Smith rammed his car into another vehicle in Handsworth, then exited the vehicle and dragged the woman from her car, repeatedly striking her with a meat cleaver and causing injuries including cuts to her head and hand.
A second woman also sustained cuts.
Police launched a manhunt, executing warrants across Birmingham and tracking Smith, who was found hiding in a kitchen cupboard in Balsall Heath on January 10, 2020.
Evidence recovered included a meat cleaver with DNA from Smith and the victims.
While in remand, Smith made threatening phone calls to the victim and denied charges, but overwhelming evidence led to a jury convicting him of attempted murder, assault, threats to kill, dangerous driving, and witness intimidation.
Officer Sam Blackburn expressed relief that Smith is now behind bars and confirmed efforts to support victims of domestic abuse.
Smith received the sentence at Birmingham Crown Court and was also issued a restraining order against the victims.
