Thug’s ‘savage’ attack left partner in hospital
A MAN launched an “unbelievably savage” street attack on his partner that left her in hospital with serious injuries and broken teeth.
Callum Berry was seen punching his girlfriend Sarah Truman multiple times in the face after approaching her on a street in Cardiff.
At one point the 25-year-old struck Ms Truman with a “Superman punch” so forceful it could be heard by witnesses in the street.
After hitting his partner to the floor Berry left the area before returning a few moments later and repeating the attack.
Peter Donnison, prosecuting, told the court the offence happened near Railway Street, in Splott, on September 25.
Mr Donnison said Ms Truman was walking along the street at about 11pm when she was approached by the defendant and punched “multiple times” to the face, knocking her to the floor. Berry then pulled Ms Truman’s hair.
The incident was witnessed by people in neighbouring properties who heard Ms Truman shout “get off me” and “leave me alone”. Mr Donnison said the defendant was heard to shout “get back home”.
Mr Donnison described one of the blows as a “Superman punch to the face” with such force it could be heard by witnesses in the street.
After the initial attack Mr Donnison said Berry moved around a corner but returned moments later and struck his victim to the side of the face and continued his attack.
Ms Truman lost part of one tooth and another was left only partially attached to her jaw, Mr Donnison said.
Berry initially attempted to evade police but was eventually restrained and arrested. Ms Truman was found by officers in hospital several hours later.
Mr Donnison told the court Berry has 23 previous convictions for 50 offences including for dishonesty and anti-social behaviour.
Berry, of Newport Road, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to a single count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing.
Hashim Salmman, defending, said: “The defendant, as one might expect while on remand, has detoxed fully and in my submission there are signs that the defendant’s attitude has at least started to change.”
He added that there was a “sad and tragic background so far as personal circumstances are concerned” while the relationship between the pair was affected by “issues with alcohol and drugs and mental health”.
Mr Salman said the incident should not be considered a “sustained attack” but Recorder Patrick Upward QC rejected the barrister’s argument.
“He punched her to the ground, walks around the corner, comes back and punches her again,” Recorder Upward said. “That is sustained in my view.”
Sentencing the defendant Recorder Upward described the attack as “unbelievably savage” and told him: “It was a cowardly attack and one you should be deeply ashamed of.”
Giving him a 25% reduction for his guilty plea Recorder Upward sentenced Berry to two years and four months in prison.