A violent stalker smashed a kitchen window in the dead of night before climbing through to beat up his terrified ex-partner.
John Cross chased the woman upstairs where he dragged her to the floor, stamped on her chest, kicked her ribs and punched her repeatedly in the face, before fleeing the property.
Police were called and officers took the woman to hospital, where she was treated for bruising and swelling.
It was the second time in the space of three days she had been attacked by Cross.
On the previous occasion, he locked the woman out of her own home and attacked her when she managed to get in via a back door.
Police tracked down and arrested the 35-year-old in relation to the two incidents, which happened at a house in Clifton on 23 and 25 September last year.
Nottingham Crown Court heard the woman had ended her relationship with Cross in August 2020 following a string of violent incidents – but that he would not leave her alone.
Cross, of Fletcher Terrace, Mapperley, pleaded guilty to assault by occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating, two counts of criminal damage and four breaches of a restraining order.
He appeared for sentence on Thursday (17 February 2022) and was jailed for one year and nine months. A restraining order was issued for 10 years.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Hannah Frame, of Nottinghamshire Police’s public protection unit, said she was pleased Cross was back behind bars.
She said: “Cross subjected his victim to a string of horrifying ordeals over the years and it’s very fortunate she has not been more seriously hurt.
“He showed a complete disregard and lack of respect the courts by breaching his restraining order and then committing these violent attacks.
“I hope the positive action taken in this case reassures people that we take breaches of restraining orders extremely seriously.
“Finally. I’d like to commend the victim in this case for her bravery and hope she is now able to start to move on with her life now that Cross is safely behind bars.”
Nottinghamshire Police treats domestic abuse extremely seriously and encourages anyone affected to contact the force by calling 101. Anyone who is in danger should call 999.
The force consistently works with partners to tackle this issue including raising awareness of confidential support services that remain available to those experiencing domestic abuse.
This work has included raising awareness of the Silent Solution police system, which people can use to report an emergency when it’s not safe for them to speak, and supporting the #YouAreNotAlone campaign.
The force’s work around domestic abuse has also included social media and supermarket poster campaigns, increased enforcement on bail conditions, increased enforcement on domestic violence protection orders, stalking protection orders and increased focus on serial perpetrators.
* In Nottingham support available to people includes the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline number – 0808 2000 247 and www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Support is also available from Juno and Equation:
Juno Women’s Aid:
0808 800 0340 (free, 24/7)
helpline@junowomensaid.org.uk
www.junowomensaid.org.uk
Equation’s Men’s Service:
(0115) 960 5556 (Mon-Fri, 9.30-16.30). A confidential answerphone runs 24/7
www.equation.org.uk
