SAMUEL NICHOLSON'S HORRIFIC ATTACK IN ASHINGTON LEADS TO PRISON SENTENCE

In a disturbing incident that unfolded in Ashington, Samuel Nicholson, a resident of Blythe Terrace, became the subject of a serious criminal case following a violent assault on his former partner. The events took place on the evening of November 2, last year, and the repercussions have been severe, culminating in a prison sentence and a restraining order.

According to court proceedings, Nicholson managed to infiltrate the victim’s home while she was asleep, an act that immediately raised alarm. Once inside, he pinned her down on her sofa, and the situation quickly escalated into a terrifying ordeal. The Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Nicholson, 37 years old, held a knife to his ex-partner’s throat, threatening her life and demanding the return of his electronic devices, specifically his laptop and iPod.

The victim, who was caught off guard, awoke to find Nicholson on her chest with the weapon pressed against her neck. He was shouting, “I will kill you if I don’t get my stuff back,” a statement that underscored the severity of the threat. Despite her efforts to defend herself, she managed to push him off and fell to the floor. During the struggle, Nicholson used his legs to squeeze her neck, further endangering her safety.

In the chaos, she was able to disarm him of the knife, ending up on top of him. However, the assault did not end there. Nicholson bit her on the neck and upper arm, leaving physical marks and adding to the trauma she experienced during the attack. The court was told that Nicholson had been living with the victim and her children at her Stoke-on-Trent residence until she discovered he was being prosecuted for downloading indecent images of children.

Following his arrest, Nicholson was charged and tried in court. He initially pleaded not guilty to assault by beating but was ultimately convicted after a trial. The case revealed that Nicholson had been living in Northumberland but continued to harass the victim by turning up uninvited at her home and demanding the return of his electronic devices. She refused and reported his actions to the police.

Prosecutor Christopher O’Gorman detailed the harrowing incident, emphasizing the victim’s distress. He recounted how she was asleep on her sofa when she awoke to find Nicholson on her chest, with a knife at her throat. Her account described a desperate struggle, during which she managed to disarm Nicholson and escape from his grasp. The attack left her visibly distraught, and her ordeal was acknowledged by the court.

In sentencing, Judge Paul Glenn sentenced Nicholson to two years in prison for the assault. Additionally, he activated eight months of the suspended sentence previously imposed on Nicholson in July for making indecent photographs of a child. The judge highlighted the ongoing impact of Nicholson’s actions on the victim, noting her distress and the trauma she endured. Furthermore, an indefinite restraining order was issued, prohibiting Nicholson from contacting the victim or visiting her home or workplace.

Overall, the case underscores the serious consequences of violent and threatening behavior, especially when combined with breaches of court orders and previous convictions. Nicholson’s actions have not only resulted in his imprisonment but also in legal restrictions designed to protect the victim from further harm.