Addict jailed for punching former partner in face
A KNOWLE man with a history of assaulting the woman he claims to love has been jailed for more attacks on her. Paul Austin had a restraining order to have no contact with his former partner, Bristol Crown Court heard.
But the court was told that, after meeting up with her again, he assaulted her. And after apologising, they met a second time and he assaulted her again.
Austin, 30, of Sullivan Close, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault and three breaches of a restraining order. He appeared for sentence on Wednesday.
The recorder Christopher Quinlan QC jailed him for 20 months. He imposed an restraining order, without limit, banning Austin from contact with the woman.
Eshanul Oarith, prosecuting, said Austin breached a restraining order when he was with the woman in January. When they were in a car he had to change a wheel, became angry, and damaged the windscreen before punching her in the face and grabbing her hair, the court heard.
Mr Oarith said the woman needed hospital treatment, she then stayed with a friend for a fortnight. Later in January Austin got back in touch and apologised.
Mr Oarith said: “He made her feel that things had got better. She knew the defendant was still using drugs, she hoped it would change this time and they got back together.” Around a week later they were in Bristol city centre when Austin became agitated and punched her in the face, the court heard. Others intervened and, ultimately, police were called in and arrested him.
Alun Williams, defending, said: “He doesn’t seek to mitigate his conduct. It was wholly wrong. He does love her very deeply. He is remorseful, he is begging for help, he is screaming for it. He is in the grip of addiction, he is a creature of addiction to Class A drugs and spice.
“He is deeply sorry for his appalling behaviour.”