CONTROLLING MAN WHO ASSAULTED EX-PARTNER JAILED
Lance Smith, aged 28, was subject to conditions that forbade him from contacting his former girlfriend following reports of domestic violence and abuse during their relationship.Nevertheless, on December 20, 2019, police were informed that the victim received a call from an unknown number.
The caller immediately stated, “It’s not Lance,” prompting her to recognize the number as that of her ex and to hang up.
Within ten minutes, she received an additional 25 calls, all believed to be from Smith, including one where he said, “you’ve got a big surprise coming your way.” Concerned for her safety, she packed a bag with plans to leave her Fenland residence that night.
Her plans were disrupted when she heard a loud crash outside her home.
Upon opening her front door, she saw Smith and observed that her car had been collided with and pushed through a small wooden fence adjacent to her house.
DC Chris Goodman, who led the investigation, stated: “On seeing her at the front door, Smith forced his way into the house and launched several punches to her face, forcing her to the floor and knocking her unconscious.
“He went on to continue a violent attack on his victim, kicking her while she was lying on the ground.
When she regained consciousness she was fearful for her life and begged for him to stop.” Police responded to the scene and conducted a search for Smith, who was later found in Wisbech on the same evening.
After being cautioned, he remarked, “I’m going to do some serious time for this, aren’t I?” Smith, residing at Baron Mews, Market Deeping, previously from March, was charged with five counts of criminal damage covering a window, a car, a fence, a mobile phone, and a custody cell as well as assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH), assault by beating, and coercive or controlling behaviour.
He pleaded guilty to these offenses and appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on April 2, where he was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.
DC Goodman added: “This is a significant amount of time to be given in prison and shows the serious nature of Smith’s offending.
“The victim had the courage to walk away from what was a violent relationship, however she continued to suffer at the hands of Smith.
I applaud her for her bravery in assisting us with this case and hope that knowing her ex-partner is now behind bars will go some way in helping her to move on from this traumatic ordeal.”
