A Wiltshire soldier who repeatedly strangled his girlfriend has walked free from court.
At Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Monday (28 February), Lewis James Phillips was sentenced for a count of assault by beating – a crime he admitted at a previous hearing.
The 28-year-old, who is part of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Tidworth, initially denied the charge but changed his plea moments before his trial was due to start in January.
The court heard how his then-girlfriend Holly Bird sustained jaw, arm and neck injuries after a “prolonged” attack in her own home on 13 February last year.
The defendant turned up at her address at about 1.30am, whilst intoxicated and went on to accuse her of cheating – despite the pair being on a break at the time.
When he first arrived, he confessed his love for her and her child, but soon after he turned aggressive. Miss Bird asked him to leave and Phillips turned violent.
He took her mobile phone and stranged her on two occasions. He also punched her numerous times, leaving her with bruising to her face, arms and neck.
Miss Bird fled her home and began screaming. Her neighbours were able to come to her aid and alert the emergency services – but not before Phillips had tried to drag her back.
Magistrates sentenced the defendant, of Clarkes Avenue, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, to a community order with a six-month alcohol treatment requirement and ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He must also complete 86 hours of unpaid work, pay prosection costs of £620 and pay a surcharge of £95.
A restraining order, prohibiting Phillips from contacting Miss Bird, was imposed for one year.
“You always see this type of thing on the TV read it in the press but you never think it will happen to you, but it’s happened to me and I now know the fear of life those women and men have felt”, she said in a statement released after the case.
Miss Bird added: “I urge anyone to try and get out of a bad relationship once you first see the warning signs and get bad gut feelings.
“My life has been ruined because of this man. Physical wounds heal but the mental wounds don’t.
“I will never forget the look he had in his eyes when he attacked me, it still haunts me now, it’s what I see most times when I close my eyes.
“Please ladies before heading into a relationship with someone new check Clare’s Law.”
People can make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application, known as Clare’s Law, to any police force. If you are starting a relationship with someone new, the police can provide information about any previous convictions or allegations made against them. This helps protect people from the risk of domestic abuse.
If you are in the Wiltshire Police force area, you can find out more or make an application here.
