CALEB EMPETT'S BRUTAL ATTACK IN TROON LEADS TO 18-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE

A disturbing case of domestic violence unfolded in Troon, where Caleb Empett, aged 24, subjected his partner to a relentless and vicious assault that lasted for approximately one hour. The incident, which took place in their shared flat, was characterized by extreme violence, including punching, kicking, strangulation, and the use of steel toe cap boots to stamp on her. The attack was so severe that the victim was left battered, bruised, and traumatized.

According to the court proceedings at Truro Crown Court, the assault was triggered after the victim returned home with an Indian takeaway. Upon her arrival, she discovered her belongings in disarray, with pictures torn from the walls and a knife protruding from her bed’s mattress. Empett, visibly angry, began to lash out at her, throwing objects and unleashing his fury. Prosecutor Edward Bailey detailed the extent of the violence, stating that during the hour-long ordeal, Empett punched his partner repeatedly in the head and all over her body, grabbed her by the throat to restrict her breathing, and kicked her while wearing steel toe cap boots, stamping on her with brutal force.

Mr. Bailey described the attack as prolonged and chaotic, with Empett jumping on her, holding her down, and physically assaulting her across the flat. He pulled her off the bed, causing her to land hard on the floor, where she sustained a cut from shattered glass. The violence escalated further as Empett destroyed her belongings, including tearing her canvas and beating her with it, throwing a bin at her, and hurling a glass table towards her. He also smashed a chair against the wall and used the broken pieces to continue his assault. The victim was left feeling dehumanized, battered black and blue, and terrified for her life.

During the attack, Empett’s violence was so intense that he continued even when he felt exhausted, after headbutting fixtures in the flat. He eventually ceased his assault only because he was physically drained and felt sick. After the attack, Empett left the property, leaving his partner to seek refuge with a friend. She spent the night in hospital, receiving medical treatment for her injuries.

In a victim impact statement read aloud in court, she expressed her conflicting feelings, stating, “Despite all this I love him to bits but he needs to learn that this was not okay. It was a side of him I had never seen before. I want him to get the mental health support he needs.” Her statement highlighted her hope for his rehabilitation and her desire for him to seek mental health assistance.

During police interviews, Empett attempted to shift blame onto his mental health, insisting that he was not a violent person. His defense attorney, Ramsay Quaife, argued that there was potential for rehabilitation and that society would benefit if he received appropriate intervention. However, the presiding judge, His Honour Judge Simon Carr, emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating that the brutality and violence warranted immediate custody. He condemned Empett’s actions, noting that the attack involved strangulation, stamping, and punching, and lasted for an extended period. The judge criticized Empett for victim blaming and for implying that his partner was responsible for his loss of temper, asserting that the victim believed she was going to die during the assault.

Judge Carr sentenced Empett to 18 months in prison, with a requirement to serve 40 percent of that sentence before being eligible for release on license. Additionally, a restraining order was issued for ten years, prohibiting Empett from contacting his victim. The case underscores the severity of domestic violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions in Troon and beyond.