YORKSHIRE MAN GETS SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR BRUTAL ASSAULT ON GIRLFRIEND
John Urwin, aged 41, was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend after a violent confrontation that involved physical abuse and dragging her from their home while her face was in contact with the floor.The incident followed an argument while both were intoxicated.
Urwin also transmitted a video to her father showing her injuries, intending to suggest she had fallen by accident rather than been assaulted.
Residing on Carlisle Street in Goole, he admitted to causing actual bodily harm on April 16, 2021, though he initially denied the charge before changing his plea.
Evidence presented at Hull Crown Court indicated that during a heated argument at his residence, which involved heavy drinking, Urwin’s mood escalated as he shouted and insulted her.
He then punched her in the stomach, prompting her to fall.
In self-defense, she struck back and begged him to stop, but he continued his assault, hitting her in the face and forcibly pulling her outside, with her face scraping against the ground.
He also kicked her in the throat, which caused swelling, before leaving her outside while he went back inside.
This was characterized as a prolonged and ongoing assault by the court.
Urwin filmed a video of his boyfriend and sent it to her father, claiming it was to prevent any misinterpretation that he had beaten her, asserting that he loved her and had helped her to bed after drinking.
The woman’s injuries, which included bruising and a persistent headache, led her to fear him and eventually move away.
Her father summoned an ambulance after seeing her condition.
On the way to York Hospital, she initially concealed her injuries, claiming she had fallen.
She reported constant pain and ongoing fear of Urwin’s release from detention.
The court noted that Urwin’s criminal record was sparse, with nearly 20 years since his last conviction, and that he was employed at a fertilizer company during the time of the incident.
His solicitor stated that his behaviour was impulsive and alcohol-related, without premeditation.
Judge Mark Bury sentenced him to a 16-month prison sentence suspended for a period, along with 60 hours of community service and 10 days of rehabilitation, criticizing his actions, particularly for sending the damaging video, and describing his conduct as unacceptable and unwise.
