WOMAN LOST FOUR TEETH AFTER SINGLE PUNCH FROM SQUADDIE

Pair had argued after returning from pub

SQUADDIE Samuel Berrisford knocked four of his girlfriend’s teeth out – with one punch.

The 21-year-old had just returned from a deployment to Canada when he was dumped by his partner.

But after making up he punched her to the face following a night out in Wetherspoons. Now Berrisford, of Mayfield Road, Biddulph, has been handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting an assault charge.

Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard that the incident happened at the victim’s home in May, 2021. The couple had been in a relationship for six months when Berrisford was told he was dumped.

Prosecutor Olivia Whitworth said: “He apologised for being drunk. He said he wanted to go out and enjoy himself. They reconciled the issue and he stayed that evening. They went to Wetherspoons together.

“They returned home and began to argue. She told him to ‘ **** off’ and take his belongings. She rang a friend and while on the phone he punched her in the face. She described it as causing pain and one of her front teeth fell out.”

The victim lost the other three teeth during expensive dental work following the attack.

Thomas Mcloughlin, mitigating, said: “He expresses deep remorse and regret. He said he did it out of frustration. The deployment in Canada put a strain on the relationship and made it difficult for him. He joined at 17 and served on multiple deployments.”

The court heard that Berrisford had assisted during the covid crisis, which affected him. He now works full-time at Siemens in Congleton.

Mr Mcloughlin added: “He’s currently single and lives with his parents. He has suffered with depression and anxiety since sixthform. He had a best friend from basic training who committed suicide. He was his confidante in the Army and he was deeply affected by how he could not help him. Since leaving the Army his mental health has improved.”

The suspended sentence includes a 60-day alcohol abstinence requirement.

Sentencing, Recorder Matthew Boyle said: “This was a simply disgraceful assault on your former partner. It was just one punch. I can’t imagine what part of your Army training thought it was appropriate to punch a young woman in the face.”