MAN JAILED AFTER 'TERRIFYING' ATTACK ON PARTNER
A woman experienced a frightening ordeal after her former partner assaulted her inside her own home by punching her and grabbing her around the neck.The incident occurred after she arrived home late, missing her bus, which upset her then-partner Rob Hardstaff.
During a hearing at Norwich Crown Court, it was revealed that the 47-year-old was "upset" by her late arrival and "got angry".
Prosecutor Chris Youell stated that Hardstaff, who resided on Grove Gardens, Gayton, near King's Lynn, struck her and held her by the throat during the early hours of March 4 this year.
Mr.
Youell added that, after the assault, Hardstaff left the scene, and the woman went to bed.
However, he returned later, having been locked out, and broke a window to re-enter the property.
Police officers responded to the scene, arresting Hardstaff, who was later taken into custody.
The woman sustained scratches and bruises from the attack and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Initially, Hardstaff denied charges of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) and two counts of strangulation.
He appeared in court on August 29 at the start of his trial.
During proceedings, he admitted to one count of assault causing ABH.
Before sentencing, a court statement from the victim was read, in which she described being "terrified of him." Hardstaff received a nine-month prison sentence.
Judge Anthony Bate labeled the attack as "nasty," especially given it was carried out on a vulnerable woman within a domestic setting where she should have felt safe.
Defense lawyer Philip Farr explained that Hardstaff has issues with overreacting and that the incident stemmed from an argument about the woman’s tardiness, which escalated badly.
The court also imposed an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting her directly or indirectly in the future.
