FORMER SOLDIER JAILED FOR TERRIFYING ASSAULT AND THREATS TO WOMAN
A man with a military background who assaultingly restrained and terrorized a woman on a houseboat has been sentenced to prison.David Beckett, a former soldier trained in control and restraint techniques, detained the woman, punched her, and ran a kitchen knife along her leg, threatening to kill her.
Despite his threats, he did not carry out harm but then expressed suicidal intentions.
The victim managed to escape by grabbing a dressing gown, fleeing the scene to seek help.
Beckett left but later returned, leading to his arrest, as heard in court proceedings at Bristol Crown Court (June 6, 2023).
Beckett, aged 59, residing at Saltford Marina in Bath, admitted charges of false imprisonment, threats to kill, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Judge Martin Picton sentenced him to three years in prison.
In his remarks, the judge described the incident as a prolonged and brutal attack, emphasizing that Beckett’s threats to kill were serious and meant to be taken seriously.
A five-year restraining order was also issued to prevent any contact with the complainant.
Prosecutor Robert Yates explained that Beckett had held the woman down on the houseboat, questioning her about messages on her phone, and physically assaulted her—hitting her face if she resisted or spoke.
He also pulled her clothing up and punched her in the stomach, instructing her to stay silent while hitting her face when she asked him to stop.
The court was told the woman believed she was going to die and simply wanted the ordeal to conclude.
When she requested the toilet, Beckett refused, claiming he had killed before, and pinned her on the floor for an hour.
During this time, he told her to stand, stripped her naked, and forced her to use the toilet, also removing his own clothing.
He then pushed her onto the bed, leaning on her and threatening to kill her.
The situation intensified when Beckett produced a large kitchen knife, stroked it along her leg, and continued his threats, until he declared he couldn’t go through with harming her and threatened to end his own life.
The woman managed to don a dressing gown and escape to seek help, but Beckett returned before being arrested.
The victim's statement described the assault’s physical and emotional toll, expressing a desire to recover her former cheerful self.
Defense lawyer Nicholas Lee stated Beckett had pleaded guilty previously at the magistrates’ court and expressed remorse, arguing that his client is fundamentally a decent person who was regrettably acting in a moment of crisis.
