NOTTINGHAM DECORATOR GETS SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR PARTNER ASSAULT AFTER DRUNKEN ACCUSATIONS
A Nottingham decorator named Gary Cox, aged 57 and from Woodborough, committed an assault on his long-term partner after he was drinking heavily and falsely accused her of flirting with a friend.Court proceedings heard how Cox, during the incident, told the woman he would pay her £5,000 to have her name removed from the mortgage, and he then threw her belongings at her.
He also sent messages to her children expressing shame for his "disgusting behavior" towards their mother.
In July 2025, Cox pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and the court handed down a suspended three-month jail sentence for 18 months.
Judge James Sampson acknowledged that this was an out-of-character incident with no meaningful criminal record and noted that alcohol had played a part.
The judge described the assault as "nasty" and said it would be considered for 18 months, along with a restraining order for two years.
Cox was also ordered to pay £1,630 towards prosecution costs.
Prosecutor Fergus Malone explained that Cox and the victim had been in an "on-off relationship for a number of years" and were back together at the time of the offense, which occurred after a night out drinking.
Cox's behavior was triggered by his suspicion that she was flirting with a friend.
Cox, who operates his own decorating business, claimed he had not offended since the incident aside from some 'unpleasant communication' which resulted in a fine at the magistrates' court.
The incident was described as a serious assault, with court records reflecting Cox's remorse and the court's cautious sentencing based on his plea and character references.
