A man warned a woman that he was going to ‘set her on fire’ after launching a drunken attack that left her with a broken nose.
David Smith, 32, flew into a violent rage and started to punch the woman repeatedly in the face during the unprovoked assault.
He also tried and failed to kick his victim in the ribs before she eventually managed to fight him off and run from a house that they were both in at the time.
Once outside, Smith started to punch himself in the face and was heard telling the woman he was going to ‘set her on fire’, before then assaulting a man who had come to her aid on 29 June 2021.
Smith also grabbed the woman by the hair and dragged her to the ground, before picking up a knife and threatening ‘I’m going to cut you up’ during a separate incident at the same house in Mansfield just six days earlier.
During the 29 June attack, Smith grabbed the 39-year-old woman by the throat in a seemingly random attack and pinned her down on the floor.
When she wriggled free and tried to call her brother to help her, Smith snatched the phone and threw it against a wall, before punching the woman repeatedly in the face and trying to kick her in the ribs.
After chasing her outside, Smith continued to threaten the woman, until he was confronted by a 31-year-old man, who told him to leave her alone and tried to calm the situation.
This didn’t work however, with Smith instead punching himself in the face and spitting at the man repeatedly and then following him back to his house, where he tried to force his way in by kicking the locked door.
Police quickly attended the scene and arrested Smith in the garden of the man’s house.
After being taken into custody, officers then heard him say he was going to kill the woman and that he would beat her up again when he was released.
The woman was taken to hospital for treatment following the assault after suffering a broken nose and swelling to her eyes and face.
Smith, of John Woodhead Court, Mansfield, appeared before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 22 December 2021, where he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of assault by beating and criminal damage to property.
He appeared before Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (22 March 2022) for sentencing, where he was jailed for two years and subjected to a five-year restraining order.
Police Constable Alex Thomas, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Smith subjected his victim to a horrible experience after flying into a drunken rage for seemingly no reason at all.
“A woman had to be taken to hospital for treatment for a broken nose following this attack, which will have also had a hugely detrimental effect on her from an emotional standpoint as well.
“This was an appalling act of violence that has absolutely no place in our society, so we’re pleased to see that Smith has been punished for his actions.
“Nottinghamshire Police has a zero-tolerance approach to all incidents of violence against women and girls and will always do whatever it takes to safeguard victims and ensure they get the justice they deserve.
“This case should serve as a warning to other people that we take these offences extremely seriously and will not tolerate this kind of violence in our communities.”
The following organisations offer support to survivors of domestic abuse within Nottinghamshire.
To report domestic abuse to Nottinghamshire Police, please call the 101 non-emergency number or, in an emergency, always call 999.
For more information about Domestic Abuse please read our supporting survivors of domestic abuse page.
Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid provides an extensive range of services for women, young people and children.
Newark Women’s Aid provides safe accommodation, with associated support services, for women with or without children, who are living with or have experienced any form of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or economic abuse. Tel: 01636 679687
The UK’s only registered charity arranging Non-Molestation Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders & Occupation Orders
Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence and abuse.
It offers emotional support, practical advice and information on a wide range of services for further help and support.
Juno’s 24-hour domestic and sexual violence helpline offers support to women, teenage girls and children who have been affected by domestic or sexual abuse.
Tel: 0808 800 0340
Email: enquiries@junowomensaid.org.uk
Deaf and hearing-impaired women can access the Helpline by:
Text Relay/NGT: 18001 0808 800 0340 24 hours a day
Email: helpline@junowomensaid.org.uk daily, 9am – 9pm
Equation provide a free helpline for men which is available Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
A 24/7 confidential answerphone service is also available.
Call: 0115 960 5556
Email: helpline@equation.org.uk
Make a stand against violence. ‘Like’ our Alliance Against Violence Facebook page
NIDAS is a registered charity, formerly known as Mansfield and Ashfield Women’s Aid.
Its aim is to help people experiencing domestic abuse.
They work hard with other agencies to raise awareness of domestic abus
Karma Nirvana is a registered charity that supports victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour-based abuse.
A free to download app providing support and information to those affected by Domestic Abuse, available in 5 languages, has a unique directory of support services and links of further resources including a journal which you can record incidents.
Safeguarding people- a simple shake or tap activates Hollie guard, immediately notifying your chosen contacts, pinpointing your location and sending audio and video evidence directly to their mobile phones.
BWP are here to help women living in the Borough of Broxtowe who are experiencing domestic abuse.We provide a confidential helpline, outreach service, training courses and drop in sessions, all aimed at empowering women and to help them survive domestic abuse.
Find out more about our services below.
Call us if you need our help on 01773 719 111 or email enquiries@broxtowewp.org
