2000: JAILED FOR 'SAVAGE ATTACK' ON GIRLFRIEND
When Simon Lawrence mistakenly believed that his girlfriend of five years had been unfaithful by sleeping with another man, he launched a violent and uncontrolled assault inside their home in Stratford.Mr.
Hicken explained that Lawrence and Miss Elsey, aged 23, had cohabited for several years.
One morning in April, Lawrence checked her mobile phone and found a message from a friend that led him to think she had been 'socializing' with another man.
Confronting her, he shouted and hurled insults despite her mere denials.
He then pushed her onto the bed and struck her so forcefully in the face that he injured his hand.
He dragged her downstairs and forced her out into the street while still attacking her.
She was wearing only her pajamas at the time.
Eventually, he ceased his assault and left.
The frightened Miss Elsey contacted her father, who drove from Yorkshire to pick her up.
On the way, she collapsed, and she was later taken to Harrogate Hospital, where doctors found she had a collapsed lung, along with a black eye and extensive bruising on her face, arms, and chest, according to Mr.
Hicken.
During the hearing, Andrew Lockhart, defending Lawrence, stated that his client had shown significant remorse and had pleaded guilty.
He explained that Lawrence and Miss Elsey had a generally happy relationship, and she was unlikely to pursue her initial complaint.
It was also revealed that Miss Elsey had gone out with a friend the previous night and then visited a man named Clive, with whom she said she only talked before returning home.
However, miscommunications occurred, and upon discovering the message on her phone, Lawrence mistakenly believed she had been with Clive.
This led to him losing control and lashing out.
Mr.
Lockhart added that Lawrence would regret this 'moment of madness' for the rest of his life.
When sentencing, Recorder Peter Ross acknowledged Lawrence’s guilty plea and remorse but described the attack as savage and uncontrolled, concluding that custody was the appropriate punishment.
