Violent partner spared jail after three attacks on girlfriend
‘JEALOUS and controlling’ lover, who subjected his partner to six months of physical and mental abuse, has been spared jail after the couple vowed to work at their troubled relationship.
Shaun Noyes, 29, of Middle Gordon Road in Camberley, was convicted in May of two counts of assault in January and February against girlfriend Alana Miles following a trial at South West Surrey Magistrates’ Court in Guildford.
But Noyes went to Ms Miles’ house on June 14 where he assaulted her again, giving her a bloody nose, and damaging her car, before also assaulting a neighbour who came to help.
He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) against Ms Miles, criminal damage, and another count of assault by beating on June 17.
At Guildford Crown Court last Friday, Noyes was sentenced to 20 weeks in jail, suspended for two years.
Prosecutor Rachel Davies said the couple had been in a relationship for around a year when the first matter occurred on January 1.
She explained Noyes was concerned Ms Miles was sleeping with other men and said a feature of their relationship was his ‘jealous and controlling’ behaviour.
When he confronted her, Ms Miles tried to leave but Noyes dragged her out of the car and back to her flat.
He then pushed her to the ground, putting his hand over her nose and mouth so she struggled to breathe.
Ms Miles left in the morning but chose not to pursue charges after discovering she was pregnant – which she later terminated.
A second assault took place after the couple went out drinking in Fleet on February 6.
Noyes met with Ms Miles on June 14 and accused her of sleeping with an expartner.
He threw her purse at her causing her a bloody nose and stood over her while she ‘screamed and shouted’ for help, said Ms Davies.
“She was pleading him,” said Ms Davies.
“In a statement, she said she thought he had ‘flipped’ and that he would kill her.”
She added a neighbour
with stepped between the two and told Noyes to leave before calling the police.
Noyes violently pushed him away constituting the third assault. He also smashed the rear windscreen of Ms Miles’ car.
Stuart Weston, defending, said labourer Noyes stressed the latest injuries suffered by Ms Miles were ‘not serious’ within the context of ABH.
He added Noyes did not set out to deliberately target a vulnerable victim, but clearly needed some help.
“He is apologetic, and he accepts responsibility,” said Mr Weston. “They have been thinking about better ways to deal with disagreements.”
Recorder Richard Prior, said his sentence was based primarily on the ABH matter from June 14, taking those of January and February as background.
“These suggest you have been engaged in an unhappy and unhealthy relationship, which came to an ugly head on June 14,” he said.
“You were in drink, you were angry, you ripped her clothes, you kicked her and you caused her a nosebleed – these are all very serious matters, which in normal circumstances would attract an immediate custodial sentence.
“I have, however, had regard for the fact your victim wishes the relationship to continue.
“But there is a very real risk your jealousy and potentially violent nature could cause problems.”
Noyes was also made subject to a supervision requirement and must complete six sessions of an alcohol treatment programme, as well as a better relationships programme.