MARK SLONECKI OF ILKESTON SENTENCED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ANIMAL ABUSE

Mark Slonecki, born around 1984 and residing on Station Road in Ilkeston, has been convicted of a serious assault that involved both his partner and her dog. The incident took place on October 28, 2019, within the confines of his own home, and has drawn significant attention due to the brutality involved.

According to court proceedings, an argument erupted between Slonecki and his partner during which his temper flared uncontrollably. The situation escalated when he began to physically attack the woman's dog, an act that was reportedly motivated by a desire to provoke a reaction from her. Witnesses and the victim described how Slonecki, in a fit of rage, started hitting the dog with a golf club, specifically a wedge, which he then used to strike his partner as well.

Prosecutor Jonathon Dee detailed the sequence of events, stating, “He started to hit the dog, he had done that in the past to get a reaction from her and she tried to stop him. She describes him whacking her (with the golf club) and then punching her several times.” The assault left the woman with visible injuries, including a cut above her eye, bruising on her left arm, and bruising on her leg. The attack was so severe that it prompted her to seek help from the police.

The following day, Slonecki voluntarily attended the police station, claiming that his partner had taken his house keys. He was subsequently arrested and released on bail. He was scheduled to return to the police station on December 30 to face formal charges, but he failed to appear, complicating the legal process.

Slonecki denied the allegations, opting to contest the charges in court. His case was heard at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court, where he was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH). He also admitted to a lesser charge of failing to surrender to custody.

Judge Robert Egbuna sentenced Slonecki to two years in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, “The offence you have been convicted of is a very serious offence. You have to understand that just as men need to be protected from women who attack them, women also need to be protected from men who do the same. You picked up a golf club, it was a wedge to be precise, and you used that weapon to cause significant injuries to her. You used it with some force on her, and you are fortunate that the injuries were not more severe than the ABH for which you were charged.”

While Slonecki was not charged in relation to the dog, and therefore not banned from keeping animals, the court’s focus was primarily on the domestic violence incident. His legal representative, Jo Harvey, explained that Slonecki has a child from a previous relationship and that on the day of the assault, he was struggling to control his anger. She added, “She tried to stop him hitting the dog and he reacted. As far as the relationship is concerned, he does not want to be in it anymore.”

Overall, the case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and animal abuse, with the court taking a firm stance on such serious offenses committed within private homes in Ilkeston.