Woman broke her back trying to escape abuser who tied her up in his home

WOMAN BROKE HER BACK TRYING TO ESCAPE ABUSER WHO TIED HER UP IN HIS HOME

A Swindon man was sentenced to seven years in prison after he was convicted of imprisoning his partner at their home, an act that resulted in her suffering a fractured back as she tried to escape her captor.

On the evening of December 29, 2021, police attended the Stratton area after Jodie Barnes sought help from a neighbor.

She was later admitted to hospital due to a fractured vertebra caused by a fall from a window.

Jodie informed officers that Hawkins had assaulted her multiple times, including restraining her with cable ties and holding her head underwater.

Her account detailed numerous instances of domestic violence.

Colin Hawkins, 37, who lives on Cowleaze Walk in Stratton St Margaret, pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment, two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, and assault by beating.

He appeared in Swindon Crown Court on 11 May and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

He was also subject to an indefinite restraining order to keep him away from Jodie.

Wiltshire Police’s Detective Constable Alex Doughty spoke about the severity of the case, mentioning that Jodie’s statement revealed her intense fear of Hawkins.

She described her ongoing anxiety, saying, “This was a horrific case and Jodie’s impact statement outlined how fearful she was of Hawkins and what he would potentially do to her.

“Jodie told us 'I am in a permanent state of fight or flight… I am petrified to think what Colin could do.

I don’t think I’d make it out alive if he came for me now'.

“Hawkins is a violent individual and a convicted domestic abuse perpetrator, who has now received a substantial custodial sentence.

“This case proves how seriously we take this sort of offending and the work we will do to safeguard victims and ensure offenders face justice.”