BARRY CONNAUGHTON FROM ASHFORD SENTENCED TO OVER FIVE YEARS FOR VIOLENT ASSAULTS IN BRAINTREE AND ASHFORD

A man who has been described by a judge as controlling, bullying, and menacing has received a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend. Barry Connaughton, aged 35, originally from Ashford and currently residing in Braintree, was found to be a habitual and serious offender by Judge James O’Mahony. The judge highlighted a troubling pattern of violent behavior directed towards multiple partners, emphasizing the need to safeguard potential future victims from similar harm.

The court proceedings culminated in a sentence of five and a half years in prison for Connaughton. During the hearing, it was revealed that Connaughton had admitted to committing several criminal acts, including criminal damage, three separate assaults on his ex-girlfriend, and the theft of her bank card. The judge’s decision underscored the importance of protecting individuals from the kind of controlling and violent conduct that Connaughton had demonstrated.

Prosecutor Madeleine Woolfe provided detailed accounts of Connaughton’s abusive behavior, which spanned from March 5 to April 29. She described how he exhibited controlling and coercive tendencies throughout their relationship. On March 12, Connaughton arrived at his partner’s residence in a rage, verbally abusing her before smashing a patio door in a fit of anger. Later, on March 26, after the victim spoke with another man, Connaughton responded with violence, confronting her alongside others wielding baseball bats. The violence continued on April 2 at a family gathering, where tensions escalated following a discussion about television content, leading Connaughton to physically attack her.

The most disturbing incident occurred on April 29 at the Conningbrook Hotel in Ashford. Witnesses saw Connaughton restrain his partner by her hair and repeatedly strike her. During the assault, he also forcibly stuffed a towel into her mouth, an act that highlighted the severity of his violence. Connaughton’s criminal record is extensive, including previous convictions for robbery, burglary, and other violent offenses, painting a picture of a man with a long history of criminal behavior.

In his defense, lawyer Esther Schutzer-Weissmann argued that Connaughton’s life had been deeply affected by violence, which had become a defining aspect of his identity. She suggested that his struggles with substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs, contributed to his violent tendencies. Connaughton expressed remorse during the proceedings and acknowledged the emotional and physical harm he had caused to his ex-girlfriend and her children, though the court’s focus remained on the need to prevent further harm and protect potential future victims.