AN abusive thug who tried to bite out his pregnant fiancee’s eyeball in a horror attack is back behind bars.
Benjamin Jones was sentenced to 50 months in prison for unleashing a campaign of abuse against his partner, but he was released after just 12 months.
SWNSDomestic violence groups are questioning whether abusers are being let out of jail too quickly[/caption]
SWNSAbuser Benjamin Jones has been recalled to prison[/caption]
SWNSJones tried to bite out his pregnant fiancée’s eyeball[/caption]
He has now been recalled to prison after breaching the terms of his license by trying to get in touch with his former partner, who has a 10-year restraining order against him.
Jones, previously of Attleborough, Norfolk, was convicted last June of two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm and another of assault by beating.
In one horror attack, the 30-year-old bit his fiancée’s face, gouging out a chunk of her eyebrow in their home after celebrating news of her pregnancy with her family.
A court heard that Jones had tried to bite her eye out, telling her that he would disfigure her so that no one else would want her.
She had returned home earlier but when she heard him pull up in their driveway he became loud and violent.
Fearful for her life, she called 999 before hiding her phone where he would not be able to find it.
Jones grabbed her off the toilet, put her in the bath and ripped her engagement ring from her finger.
He pulled her mouth apart and spat inside, before headbutting her in the face while violently pulling her hair.
Jones then dragged her through the bedroom by her hair and began strangling her.
In a statement to police she said she thought she was going to die.
When officers found her, she was unconscious and Jones had fled the scene.
It took the police two days to arrest him, while she recovered in hospital.
Police were told that the survivor had been left with a black eye, hand prints from slaps across her body and scarring from other assaults.
On other occasions, she had been thrown outside naked and made to sleep there, in freezing temperatures.
Jones also put her in the back of his car in her pyjamas and told her he was going to put her in a ditch.
He violently beat her before chucking her out on the side of the road.
The couple had met in Attleborough in 2021, when she was 24.
They bonded over a drink and enjoyed a whirlwind romance, involving lavish holidays and expensive gifts.
However, shortly after their engagement, the violence escalated.
Jones also pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of a Class A drug, cocaine, and possession of a Class B drug, cannabis and cannabis resin.
He was held on remand before his sentencing and had served a total of 18 months in prison before he was released on license.
A police spokesman said: “A 30-year-old man has been arrested and recalled to prison.”
His recall has led domestic violence groups to question whether abusers are being let out of jail too quickly.
Emma Nurse, of Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services, said: “It’s important that the dangers that perpetrators of domestic abuse pose are fully recognised.
“We know that they will go to extreme lengths to continue to maintain their power and control over their victim, including disregarding any restrictions that are put in place to keep victims safe.
“While we know that there are many challenges posed due to the overcrowding of prisons, the safety of victims must be the priority.
“We support the view of national organisations, such as Women’s Aid, that perpetrators of domestic abuse must be exempt from early release.
“It’s important that we send out a strong message that domestic abuse is not tolerated and that tough action will be taken against perpetrators, whilst ensuring the safety of survivors.”
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
Men who are being abused can call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
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