DRUNKEN HUSBAND WHO BATTERED WIFE GETS SUSPENDED JAIL AFTER HER PLEA
A wife beater who drunkenly assaulted his partner has been given a suspended jail sentence after her plea to the judge.Colin Bennett, from Burtonwood, repeatedly punched his wife in the face following a day drinking in the pub, which caused her to lock herself in the bathroom to escape.
Despite the traumatic attack that left her with injuries including a black eye, the victim expressed remarkable forgiveness and requested that her husband not be jailed.
She stated to the court that "His family has been punished enough," and highlighted the impact of the assault on her life, saying she has "lost her husband" and their family has been torn apart.
The incident occurred on August 26 last year, when Bennett returned home very drunk after a drinking session.
He entered the room wearing only his boxer shorts and was 'looking angry.' He then slapped his wife across the face, pulled her hair, and punched her head multiple times.
She tried to protect herself by curling into a ball and attempting to get up, but Bennett continued the assault, grabbing her and taking her mobile phone, which he threw out of the window to prevent her from calling the police.
She then ran to the bathroom and locked herself in after calling her adult son, who came to take Bennett away for the night.
Bennett's wife later sought treatment at Warrington Hospital.
During the sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, her statement was read, showing her forgiveness.
Bennett, who has a previous conviction for affray in 1996, did not comment during police interviews but pleaded guilty on the day of trial.
The judge, Anil Murray, acknowledged Bennett’s lack of prior relevant convictions and his remorse, and decided to suspend a 10-month imprisonment for two years, imposing a four-month curfew and a rehabilitation requirement.
Bennett was also ordered to stay away from his ex-partner indefinitely.
The court emphasized the defendant's potential for rehabilitation, considering the impact of custody on his son and the family, and allowed for a suspended sentence, highlighting the opportunity for reform.
