MAN SWUNG 'SHANK' AT EX-PARTNER AND TREATED HER 'LIKE AN ASHTRAY'
A man brandished a plastic object embedded with blades at his former partner and treated her in a degrading manner, similar to an ashtray.Sam Watson confronted the woman with the weapon, which contained two blades, and also extinguished two lit cigarettes on her leg.
Teesside Crown Court heard that the 32-year-old entered the woman’s home by forcing through an insecure window after a night out drinking.
He then proceeded to her bedroom and lit a cigarette.
When she asked him to smoke out of the window, he responded by extinguishing the lit cigarette on her leg.
The court in Middlesbrough was informed that the couple had been together since early 2025 but separated by May, although they remained in contact.
The incident on May 22 occurred when the woman’s three children were present.
In a victim impact statement, she stated: “I do not believe that he will ever be remorseful or regret the things he's done to me.” Watson, who resides in Portrack, Stockton, pleaded guilty to charges of grievous bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm.
He appeared via video link from Holme House prison for his sentencing on Friday afternoon.
Defense lawyer Nikki Harton mentioned that Watson had a single prior conviction for violence from his youth.
She clarified: “In his own words, and he's quite candid about this, he's a thief and was a drug addict” She emphasised that Watson is generally not habitually violent or prone to domestic abuse and noted that the victim has experienced multiple abusive relationships.
Ms.
Harton added that Watson’s drug addiction was ongoing and caused concern: “At the time of these offences, he was still using crack cocaine, which she explicitly said she would not allow in her house.” She also conveyed that Watson felt remorse for his actions, even though the woman had a history of difficult relationships.
Recorder Tom Little KC told Watson: "You came at her with a piece of plastic with two Stanley blades melted into it.
You swung the blades towards her.
The use of such a weapon can often lead to death." He said the assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge also concerned an infliction of pain - "treating her like an ashtray".
Watson was sentenced to three years and three months in prison.
He was also handed a 10-year restraining order against the woman.
