BRADFORD MAN RECEIVES SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE AFTER VIOLENT ATTACK ON EX-PARTNER
Mark Bennett, 35, from North Wing, Bradford, was involved in a serious domestic violence incident in a Bradford park on February 11.He approached his ex-partner in an extremely agitated state, telling her "If you move, I’ll drop you where you stand," and then preparing himself for a fight by taking off his jacket.
Bennett then grabbed her in a tight hug, whispered threats to "snap her neck," covered her mouth with his hand, and violently punched her multiple times in the stomach, face, and head.
He also snatched her phone when she attempted to call police and threatened to burn her mother’s house if she informed anyone.
Witnesses in the park flagged down a police officer, who tried to arrest Bennett.
Bennett resisted arrest, refused to be handcuffed, and grappled with the officer, eventually catching him in a headlock and pushing the incapacitant spray button, which sprayed the officer in the face.
Bennett was subdued with the same spray and arrested, later claiming the spray had "fallen out" of the officer’s vest.
The court revealed Bennett's extensive criminal record, which includes convictions for assault, battery, racially aggravated harassment, burglary, criminal damage, and assaulting police officers.
Despite prior threats, the victim initially retracted her complaint, requesting Bennett be managed within the community for his mental health.
Bennett pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating.
The judge, Bryan Cox KC, sentenced him to two consecutive four-month prison terms suspended for two years, citing Bennett's “very bad record” for violence against women and police.
He warned Bennett, saying, “You will get the book thrown at you,” and emphasized that any further offences, especially violent ones, would result in serving the suspended sentence.
Bennett is also required to attend a building better relationships programme and complete 24 days of rehabilitation activities, intended to offer him therapeutic support.
