Vicious assault on partner

A woman was kicked in the face by her partner who marched her through the streets of Scarborough in shocking scenes captured on CCTV.

Richard Horncastle, 31, forced her to the ground and stamped on her head, causing a “nasty” cut to her lip.

The victim tried to walk away, but Horncastle followed her and grabbed her by the neck and arm in “restraint style”, marching her down the street as she begged him to stop, York Crown Court heard.

CCTV footage showed Horncastle - who was unsteady on his feet and clearly the worse for wear - berating, threatening and subjecting his terrified girlfriend to a series of attacks as they walked home from the pub.

Taxi driver Horncastle, of Leighton Close, Scarborough, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Jeremy Barton said Horncastle told police he was “very drunk” at the time of the incident on October 20 and had no recollection of it.

Recorder Simon Myerson QC described the attacks as “disgraceful” and told Myerson: “The assault was repeated and sustained.” Horncastle was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years because he was starting to change his ways , plus 100 hours’ unpaid work and pay £220 costs and engage in a ‘building-better relationships’ course.