WISBECH MAN GAVIN BAINBRIDGE SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS FOR ASSAULT AND THREATS TO STAB MOTHER OF HIS CHILD

A violent offender from Wisbech named Gavin Bainbridge, aged 39, has been sentenced to three years in prison after assaulting and threatening to stab the mother of his son, Karen Wallace. Bainbridge has a history of violence and domestic abuse, with 24 previous convictions for 47 separate offences, including domestic assaults, attacks on police officers, criminal damage, harassment, and drug possession. The court heard that Bainbridge, who has struggled with alcohol and drug abuse, became enraged after Wallace left his flat following an argument over phone messages sent to her. He later sent her abusive texts and showed up at her home and workplace, demanding she return to his flat. During the incident, Bainbridge pulled out a lock knife, threatened her with it, and repeatedly concealed and produced it while trying to force her to go with him. His threats included, “I’ll stab you right here… so f***ing come with me.” The incident was recorded on CCTV. Bainbridge was arrested and claimed the knife was his and he found it in her bag, denying threatening her. His violent history includes a previous four-month jail sentence for battery and harassment in 2012, and a 12-month sentence for GBH in 1998. The judge, Gareth Hawkesworth, sentenced him to three years for possessing a bladed article and four months each for assault and threatening messages, with the sentences running concurrently. A restraining order was also issued preventing him from contacting Wallace or approaching within 50 metres of her unless via legal channels. The court did not pursue charges of attempted kidnapping or assault related to the same incident.