ASHLEY GRANT EXETER VIOLENCE: COURT SENTENCES EXETER MAN FOR CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR

A woman from Exeter endured a harrowing and abusive relationship with her partner, Ashley Grant, which ultimately led to his imprisonment. Over a span of two years, Grant, who resided on Regency Drive in Exeter, engaged in a pattern of violent and controlling conduct that left his partner physically and psychologically scarred.

According to court proceedings, Grant frequently consumed alcohol or drugs during these episodes of violence, which exacerbated his aggressive tendencies. His partner recounted that he regularly subjected her to physical assaults, including punching her while she was driving, sweeping her legs out from under her, and slapping her across the face. These assaults resulted in visible injuries such as bruises, bite marks, and scratches covering her body. The victim was overwhelmed by the extent of the abuse and felt she could no longer endure the situation.

The Exeter Crown Court was informed that Grant's violent behavior was not isolated but part of a broader pattern of control and intimidation. The court heard that Grant posed a significant risk to women when in a relationship, highlighting the danger he represented. During the hearing, the court was shown evidence including screenshots of abusive messages and photographs of injuries sustained by the victim.

In one particularly severe incident, Grant pulled the woman’s hair, bit her arm, and slapped her. On another occasion, while he was a passenger in her car, he punched her multiple times. The victim described her trauma, noting that the psychological impact of Grant’s aggression had caused her considerable anxiety and emotional distress. She expressed her hope that Grant would seek help for his issues, acknowledging their shared history of drug addiction at the time.

Grant, aged 27, has a criminal record with ten previous convictions, including possession of a bladed article and battery. His history of violence and misconduct was a significant factor in the court’s decision. Recorder Jaron Crooknorth described Grant’s record as dreadful, emphasizing the numerous assaults and methods of control he employed over his partner. The court noted that his violent acts included headbutting the victim and throwing objects at her.

Despite acknowledging some remorse and recognizing that Grant had a difficult upbringing and no longer used drugs, the judge stated that his continued behavior demonstrated he remained a danger. Grant had also failed to comply with previous court orders and attempted to dismiss some of the allegations as exaggerated. The court concluded that rehabilitation was unlikely and sentenced him to two years and three months in prison.

As part of the sentence, Grant will serve half of his term behind bars. Additionally, he was issued a 10-year restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting the victim or approaching her in the future. The case underscores the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the importance of legal measures to protect victims from repeat offenders.