LEEDS MAN JAILED FOR VIOLENT DOMESTIC ASSAULT
A Leeds man named Kovi Lee, aged 24, was sentenced to two years in prison for violent domestic assault.The incident occurred on January 31 this year, when Lee visited his ex-partner's house during a break in their on-off relationship.
According to court reports, the victim was showing Lee a message on her phone when he became violent upon seeing it, after which he "snatched" her phone and "went through its contents" before biting it.
The victim left to seek help from passersby, and Lee was observed throwing the phone out of the front door.
During the assault, Lee began hitting her with his fists about the head and body, pulling her hair, and kicking her in a stamping motion, even on her chest.
The victim recounted that he said he "wanted to kill her" and told her she was "lucky he wasn't going to kill her." A neighbour saw Lee with her in a headlock and her pleading for her phone back.
When police arrived, Lee sent her a message claiming he was returning.
He was later arrested and found with a four to five-inch blunt knife, which he claimed was used to "get dirt off his bike." The woman also claimed Lee tried to "gouge her eyes," but he disputed this.
Lee pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage, and possession of a bladed article.
He has previous convictions for possession of a bladed article and violent offenses committed as a youth.
The court noted that Lee had served an effective 12-month sentence already and had responsibilities towards his child.
He expressed remorse and was offered an opportunity to return to his job.
Nevertheless, Recorder Gordon sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, emphasizing that the incident was "an ugly incident" involving injuries and degrading behaviour, and was a domestic violence offence.
A restraining order was also issued, prohibiting Lee from contacting the victim for ten years.
