ILKESTON MAN WITH 'EVIL LOOK' JAILED FOR ASSAULT ON EX-PARTNER
A woman beater with “a look of evil” went on the run to Spain for months before being arrested when he flew back to East Midlands Airport.Nottingham Crown Court heard how Grant Bateman, aged 34 and of Ash Street in Ilkeston, decided to finally surrender to authorities because he was haunted by what he had subjected his former partner to.
Bateman assaulted her by pinning her to the sofa, strangling her, launching her across the room, dragging her across the carpeted floor, and then locking her outside.
He received an 18-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to wear an alcohol monitoring tag for six months.
Judge Mark Watson stated: “You and (the victim) were barely in a relationship before it turned toxic, but on March 12, 2022, things really came to a head.
She had been out as she is perfectly entitled to do with her friends and returned to an atmosphere of jealousy.
You’d had enough drink to behave in the way you did and I am told when you are not in drink you are a perfectly nice person.
But when you are in drink you are described as ‘vile’.
You grabbed her by the throat, pinned her to the sofa and then dragged her out of the room and locked her outside for 15 minutes.
I have read her victim impact statement in which she describes feeling ‘on tenterhooks’ and fearful of what might happen if she upsets you.
Prosecutor Dan Scothern said the couple’s relationship began in October 2021 but quickly soured.
On March 12, 2022, Bateman, under the influence of alcohol, assaulted her after accusing her of speaking to other men, including putting his hands around her throat for a few seconds while she lay on the sofa, choking her.
He then launched her across the room into a wall, dragged her across the floor, and shut her out for 10-15 minutes.
About three weeks later, on April 2, she suffered an injury to her face when he shut a door on her.
Bateman pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
He had previously failed to appear for sentencing in January, opting to flee to Spain, but was arrested when he returned earlier this month.
Mitigation lawyer Laura Pitman explained Bateman's regret, stating he could not live with the guilt of his actions.
She also mentioned his employment prospects and potential to resume a normal life if not incarcerated immediately.
The court ordered him to attend 15 rehabilitation sessions and a 31-day program for domestic abuse offending.
Additionally, he must wear an alcohol monitoring device for six months, pay £750 in compensation, £500 in prosecution costs, and a fine of £750.
