WARREN HUGH SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN WINCHESTER FOR DOMESTIC ASSAULTS AND THREATS

A man identified as Warren Hugh has been sentenced to four years in prison following a series of violent incidents involving two women during a domestic dispute in Winchester. The assault took place at an address within Winchester on the 15th of May this year, marking a particularly troubling episode of domestic violence.

According to court proceedings, Hugh, aged 33 and residing at Hyde Gate in Winchester, subjected a 24-year-old woman to multiple assaults. During the attack, he reportedly struck her with a dumbbell, resulting in visible facial injuries and bruising. The severity of the injuries underscored the brutality of the assault, which left the victim physically harmed and emotionally distressed.

In addition to the attack on the 24-year-old, Hugh also assaulted a 19-year-old woman who was present at the scene. She attempted to intervene during the incident, but Hugh's violence extended to her as well. The court heard that Hugh's aggressive behavior included making threats to kill one of the victims, further escalating the seriousness of his actions.

The incident was brought to police attention when the 19-year-old victim managed to send a text message alerting a friend about the situation while Hugh was temporarily out of the room. This crucial piece of evidence led to Hugh's swift arrest. On the 16th of May, Hugh was formally charged with grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and making threats to kill. Following his arrest, he was remanded in custody and has remained in detention since that time.

Hugh appeared before Winchester Crown Court on the 18th of October, where he initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, on the 19th of October, during proceedings at Salisbury Crown Court, he changed his plea to guilty before the trial commenced. Today, on the 2nd of December, Hugh was sentenced to four years in prison, with an additional one-year period on licence, reflecting the court's assessment of the gravity of his offenses.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Peter Watson emphasized the importance of addressing domestic abuse cases. He stated, “We take all allegations of domestic abuse seriously and work hard to provide a compassionate response to victims to ensure they are protected, and where possible bring offenders to justice. This was a nasty and sustained assault, and I hope this result gives the victims some closure.”

He further added, “Domestic abuse is often a hidden crime with incidents taking place behind closed doors without any witnesses. It takes a lot of courage to report these incidents to us, and we want anyone who is suffering from this type of abuse to find the confidence to come forward and speak to us.”

Hampshire Constabulary remains committed to combating domestic abuse and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. The force works closely with local domestic abuse charities and support organizations to assist victims and help those seeking to leave abusive relationships, reaffirming their dedication to tackling this serious issue.