STUART CHARLES LEE BRUTALIZES WOMAN IN HAYLE AND HELSTON: COURT HEARS OF VIOLENCE AND ADDICTION STRUGGLES

A woman from Hayle endured a harrowing ordeal after being subjected to a violent assault by her former partner, Stuart Charles Lee, a known offender with a troubling criminal history. The incident left her with severe chest pain and caused her to cough up blood for several weeks, highlighting the brutality of the attack and the ongoing trauma she faced.

According to court proceedings at Truro Crown Court, the assault took place at her residence in Hayle, where Lee, despite being on police bail with strict conditions not to contact her, visited her and engaged in a violent confrontation. The altercation was reportedly triggered by a trivial disagreement, during which Lee forcefully grabbed her by her clothing and violently pushed her into a shelving unit located in her kitchen. The force of the push caused her to fall to the floor, landing on her neck and chest, rendering her immobile and in excruciating pain. Witnesses and medical reports confirmed that she suffered from persistent chest pain and was coughing up blood for weeks following the attack.

Further disturbing details emerged when, on December 17 of the previous year, approximately three weeks after the initial assault, Lee returned to her address in Hayle. Despite her repeated attempts to keep him out, he forcibly entered her home. Once inside, he again grabbed her by the neck and headbutted her in the face, resulting in injuries to her nose. The court heard that she managed to escape his grasp only after punching him, after which Lee left her in a state of distress. The woman was found on the floor, crying and in severe pain, and was left there for about an hour before help arrived.

Lee was subsequently arrested and taken to Camborne police station. During police interviews, he denied any involvement in the two incidents and claimed he had not even seen his ex-partner. Despite his denials, he was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and pleaded guilty to both charges. His criminal record is extensive, with 18 previous convictions encompassing 47 offences, including domestic violence, battery on former partners, and breaches of protection orders.

In July of the previous year, Devon and Cornwall Police issued a public appeal to locate Lee after he went on the run. He was wanted in connection with reports of stalking, harassment, and assault, which underscored the ongoing threat he posed to his former partner and the community.

During the court hearing, his ex-partner delivered a heartfelt victim personal statement, expressing her anguish and the toll the abuse had taken on her mental health. She stated, “There have been ongoing issues with him for many years but I can't put up with the abuse any longer. I feel worthless. I feel I can't go on. He has taken everything from me. I have nothing left to give. I can't cope with the abuse any longer. I want him out of my life and stay out of my life.”

It was also revealed that following the latest incident, the victim had attempted to take her own life, illustrating the severe impact of Lee’s violence. His criminal history includes 18 convictions for 47 offences, notably domestic violence, battery, and violations of protection orders, painting a picture of a man with a long-standing pattern of abusive behavior.

In mitigation, Lee’s legal representative, Ramsay Quaife, highlighted his client’s struggles with addiction, noting that Lee is a recovering heroin addict on a reduced methadone prescription. Mr. Quaife also mentioned that Lee has secured accommodation for six months, which could be jeopardized if he were to be imprisoned. He emphasized that Lee has been engaging with addiction services at We Are With You and has managed to sober up while on remand since December. The lawyer argued that Lee’s physical and mental health issues necessitate help rather than punishment, stating, “Taking into consideration his physical and mental health, this man needs help to keep him out of trouble and on the straight and narrow.”

However, the presiding judge, His Honour Judge Simon Carr, underscored that Lee had violated a court order not to contact his ex-partner at all, which he blatantly ignored. The judge described the incidents as serious, noting that Lee’s loss of temper led to injuries that caused significant pain and bleeding. The court detailed how Lee returned to her home against her wishes, forcibly entered, and assaulted her again, leaving her crying and in distress. Judge Carr acknowledged Lee’s struggles with addiction but emphasized that the gravity of his actions, especially given his criminal record and the fact that the assaults occurred while he was on police bail, warranted a custodial sentence.

Consequently, Lee was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve 40% of this sentence before being eligible for release on licence. Additionally, a restraining order was imposed for five years to prevent any further contact with his victim. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of domestic violence cases and the importance of enforcing court orders to protect victims from further harm.