DEL BANKS' BRUTAL ASSAULT IN PERTH LEADS TO 30-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE
A man with a long history of criminal activity, Del Banks, has been sentenced to a prison term of 30 months following a violent and sustained assault on his girlfriend in Perth.The incident, described by authorities as both severe and disturbing, took place at a residence on Weavers Well Crescent, Perth, on September 10 of the previous year.
According to court proceedings, Banks, aged 34, subjected his partner to a brutal attack that involved multiple punches, kicks to her head, and ultimately, the compression of her neck, which caused significant injuries.
The assault was so intense that neighbors who witnessed the aftermath saw the woman fleeing the property, cowering in an alleyway with her face covered in blood.
This graphic image underscored the brutality of the attack and the severity of her injuries.
During the trial at Perth Sheriff Court, jurors learned that Banks’s partner managed to escape the violence and seek safety, prompting neighbors to observe her in distress.
The court heard that Banks’s actions were not only physically violent but also included threats directed at a child, adding a disturbing dimension to the case.
In his defense, Banks claimed that the incident was an act of self-defense, asserting that his partner had hit him first.
He also cited her drug addiction as a source of his frustration, attempting to justify his actions.
However, the court found these claims unconvincing given the nature of the assault.
Sheriff William Wood, presiding over the case, emphasized Banks’s troubled background, noting his numerous prior convictions for theft, drug offenses, and violence.
The sheriff highlighted that Banks has a history of resorting to violence, especially when under the influence of drugs, which contributed to the severity of this recent attack.
As part of his sentence, Banks will serve 30 months in prison and will be subject to a one-year period of supervision following his release.
Additionally, a non-harassment order was issued, prohibiting Banks from contacting his former partner for a period of three years.
Sheriff Wood described the attack as “appalling,” and remarked that the image of the victim fleeing with a bloodied face was a stark reminder of the brutality involved.
In his remarks, Sheriff Wood pointed out that Banks’s behavior was unacceptable and warranted further custodial time, especially considering his extensive history of offending.
The sheriff also noted that Banks has spent much of his adult life in custody, with efforts made in the past to address his behavior through social programs, including a concert led by a social worker in 2004.
Despite some acknowledgment from Banks of the need for change, the court determined that a significant custodial sentence was necessary to protect the community and send a clear message about the seriousness of domestic violence.
