A Swindon man who attacked his girlfriend in front of her son has walked free from court.
Adam Edward Banks, 40, had been drinking and taking drugs prior to assaulting his ‘on and off’ partner of around seven years in her own home just before Christmas.
Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said that the defendant, of Beaulieu Close, Toothill, was being abusive towards his victim and her mother before the incident on 9 December 2021.
Later that day, after Banks had consumed more alcohol, he followed his victim upstairs and told her that he was going to “have sex with other people” and an argument ensues.
Moments later, he shouted “I hate you” and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her head towards the bed.
The victim’s teenage son ran upstairs and began shouting “get off”, but Banks continued and the youngster – who is not related to the defendant – was forced to watch on as his mother was crying and hyperventilating.
Banks then said “I love you”, but she replied: “You obviously don’t, you’re horrible to me”.
He then held her in a headlock, hitting the left side of her face. Whilst the victim’s head was down, he punched her near her eye using “a lot of force”, Mr Ballinger commented.
In her statement at the time, the woman described Banks as being “very needy”. Adding that he is a “kind and nice person” when he is not drinking or using drugs.
“I cannot take no more, it’s making me feel really ill”, she wrote. She continues, stating: “I don’t want the relationship to continue.”
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court in December, he pleaded guilty to assault by beating. Today (7 March), he appeared before the justices to be sentenced.
Charlotte Frizzell, defending, said her client turns to drink and drugs when he “gets low” due to suffering from severe epilepsy.
In a custody interview, he admitted the crime, stating he had “acted like an idiot”. He also claimed not to remember what happened because he was “high on drugs”.
“His partner wants to get back together with him and she wants to continue the relationship, Ms Frizzell added – reiterating that the prosecution are not seeking a restraining order.
Magistrates imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspending it for two years. He must also complete the Building Better Relationships Programme and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Banks will also pay £85 costs and a £128 surcharge.
