A man has been jailed after threatening to petrol bomb his girlfriend’s home and also biting and strangling her.
Brandon Slatcher, 21, of Alfreton Road was handed a 64-week custodial sentence after facing the first trial in Nottinghamshire at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court since the start of the government’s lockdown following the Coronavirus outbreak on 1 May 2020.
He was found guilty of three assaults by beating and three offences of sending threatening messages to her.
He was reported to police by his partner in February 2020 after following her in the street and later that day sending threatening messages that he was going to petrol bombing her house and burn it down.
It was reported that in April 2019 when the pair were having an argument.
Slatcher dragged the victim off the sofa and pinned her against the wall, causing her to choke and struggling to breathe.
Slatcher also reacted angrily when the victim asked him to stop smoking mamba in his home in February 2020. He pinned her by her arms, preventing her from moving.
The victim tried to escape, but he then bit her right shoulder causing pain. She was also pushed into a bed frame, causing an injury to her shin, before he strangled her again. The incident left the victim with bruising and discomfort to her arm.
Slatcher also threatened to damage a wristwatch that belonged to her and to ruin a job interview that she went to by causing a scene.
After the interview, the abuse continued and later that day he sent her the threatening messages.
Graduate Police Investigation Officer Agnes Wakenhut led the investigation. She said: “We are pleased with the court result and hope that it gives the victim some comfort that Slatcher is now behind bars.
“The sentence will hopefully give confidence to those who are experiencing domestic violence to seek help from the police.
“As we have seen around the world, it is likely that during the Coronavirus pandemic, we are going to see a rise in the number of cases of domestic abuse.
“While this is an unfortunate reality of families being in their households more, Nottinghamshire Police is committed to protecting people throughout this time and I want anyone who is in a difficult situation to know we are here for them.
“You are not alone in this and help is always available. Whether it be through us, Women’s Aid or any service you access, we can help you.
“Our stance is business as usual and that is no different when it comes to abuse.”
Make Yourself Heard Campaign
Nottinghamshire Police has recently announced that it is part of the Make Yourself Heard Campaign, which aims to show people how they can report an emergency when it is not safe to speak.
Dialling 55 after calling 999 takes you through to a silent call service, whereby call handlers will give you specific directions on how to report your emergency.
