AIRBNB TOURIST JAILED FOR ATTACK THAT LEFT AIRBNB COVERED IN BLOOD
Thomas Pincher has been sentenced to prison for an assault in Torquay where he awakened his sleeping girlfriend and subjected her to repeated punches to the face.During the attack, a cut from her earring pierced an artery, causing blood to spurt across the room.
After the assault, he escaped into the night, leaving her bleeding profusely while taking her phone and her return train ticket to Taunton.
Fortunately, she had a second phone in her bag, which she used to call emergency services.
She was then taken to hospital, where she required four stitches in her temple and treatment for blood loss.
Pincher, who has a lengthy record of domestic violence, has previously assaulted or broken restraining orders related to three former partners.
At the time of this incident—early hours of September 1—he was participating in a probation-supported Building Better Relationships course for an earlier offence.
The 30-year-old man from Glenville Road, Yeovil, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and received a 12-month prison sentence from Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court.
During the sentencing, the judge remarked: “She was asleep when you assaulted her and was particularly vulnerable.
It was a sustained assault.
You were under the influence of a significant amount of alcohol, and you knew this could impair your behaviour.” Prosecutor Miss Caroline Bolt explained that Pincher and his girlfriend had been together for several months but did not cohabit.
They rented an Airbnb on Marcombe Road, Torquay, for the weekend of August 31 to September 1.
After going out for drinks and buying two bottles of wine, they returned to the property.
He continued drinking while she, feeling tired, went to sleep.
She later awoke to find him grabbing her arm and attempting to choke her with his right hand.
He then struck her violently five times on the face, resulting in serious bleeding and a cut that required stitches.
He afterward took her mobile phone and train ticket home but was intercepted by police.
He claimed she had assaulted him or that she had self-inflicted her injuries.
Mr.
Nigel Wraith stated that Pincher was making progress under a previous community order and was partway through the Building Better Relationships programme.
He had successfully maintained control and sobriety for several months, with this incident being the only time he allowed himself to drink.
