Plymouth Man Sent to Prison for Punching Saltash Woman

A Plymouth man has been sent to prison for 10 weeks for assaulting his Saltash girlfriend. Simon Mitchell, aged 23, pulled his partner's hair and grabbed her by the neck and pushed the woman on to a bed and punched her in the face, Plymouth magistrates heard.

Homeless Mitchell admitted two offences of common assault against his partner at her Saltash home on 16th June. He also admitted breaching his bail by failing to live at an address in Plymouth.

Erin McCarthy, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the woman returned home in the early hours of June 16th from a night out. He added: "Without any provocation and almost immediately, he punched her to the ribs, causing immediate pain."

Apparently the man apologised the next morning but said she 'deserved it'. Mr. McCarthy added Mitchell continued to abuse her until mid-morning. He said: "Without warning he grabbed her by the hair, pulled her into the bedroom and pushed her on to the bed. He grabbed her neck causing her difficulty in breathing for a short period of time and punched her in the side of the face."

The Saltash woman was left with scratches and reddening to the neck and soreness and slight swelling to the ribs. The court heard she did not need medical treatment. Mitchell has had previous convictions for violence, starting in 2003.

Tracey Baker, for Mitchell, said the magistrates had earlier bailed him for a probation report but he did not want one – meaning custody was inevitable. She said he had severe depression and there were concerns about his mental health. He is under the care of a community psychiatric nurse.

Mrs. Baker added: "He accepts he acted in a way which totally appalls him. He had already spent seven days in custody, which will be taken off his overall sentence."