Man jailed following violent attack on former partner
Victim suffered facial injuries and breathing difficulties during assault inside a tent in Lowestoft
A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after carrying out a violent assault on a woman in Lowestoft.
Kaine Martin, who has no fixed address, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday, 2 June, where he was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to a number of offences.
The court heard that Martin attacked a woman he had previously been in a relationship with while they were inside a tent. During the incident, he repeatedly slammed her head against the ground and applied pressure to her neck, leaving her struggling to breathe.
As the victim attempted to escape, Martin forced her back down and tried to seize her mobile phone, preventing her from seeking help.
The assault was interrupted when a friend of the victim, who happened to be nearby, heard her cries and stepped in. The woman emerged from the tent with visible injuries, including bruising to her face and a bite mark on her cheek. Police were subsequently contacted.
Investigators were also provided with an audio recording captured by the victim on her phone during part of the incident.
Martin received a 28-month prison sentence for false imprisonment. He was also sentenced to 24 months for non-fatal strangulation, three months for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and six months for breaching a restraining order linked to a separate victim. Those sentences will run concurrently.
Because the offences breached the terms of an existing suspended prison sentence, Martin was handed an additional 12-month custodial term to run consecutively. This brought his total sentence to 40 months in prison.
The officer in charge of the case, DC Hannah Baggott said: “The victim in this case was subjected to a harrowing, prolonged and unprovoked attack at the hands of a man she knew, trusted and believed to be safe with.
“The level of violence Kaine Martin subjected her to demonstrates just how serious and dangerous his offending was. His actions showed a complete disregard for her safety, and a willingness to use significant and sustained violence.
“In her interview with police, the victim described that she thought she was going to die, and I would like to commend the courage and strength she has shown in coming forward and supporting this investigation.
“The unpredictable nature of Martin’s behaviour significantly increases the risk he poses, and the bravery she has shown has been vital in ensuring he is held accountable for his actions. I hope that this outcome provides some reassurance as the victim moves forward.
“Strangulation is a clear warning that violence is escalating, and I would urge anyone who is experiencing this level of abuse to seek help.”