Doncaster thug jailed after holding knife to partner's throat

Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 10 how Robert Corrie, 29, of Windhill Terrace, Mexborough, Doncaster, rugby-tackled and threw his partner into a ditch and put a knife to her throat before punching her during a prolonged attack in the street and at her home.

Recorder Kama Melly QC told Corrie: “This is far from a single assault of violence. You kept the complainant in that property for some time and the incidents of violence and the gratuitous nature of the violence continued over a period of time and you stopped her from getting help and getting free.”

Bev Wright, prosecuting, said the couple had been celebrating New Year at a friend’s house when the complainant tried to visit her father and Corrie objected.

Mrs Wright added Corrie pursued the complainant shouting at her before pushing her to the ground and stopping her from entering her father’s home and as she tried to go to her mother's home instead she was rugby-tackled.

The defendant covered her mouth, according to Mrs Wright, and lifted her off her feet and threw her into a ditch.

Mrs Wright said Corrie continued shouting at the complainant and once they got back to her property he squeezed her head and put a knife to her throat.

Corrie sat on his partner, punched and dragged her, according to Mrs Wright, and threw water at her and squeezed her head.

The court heard the complainant threw a vase to attract her neighbours’ attention but Corrie grabbed her and punched her in the stomach.

Corrie told police they had been drunk and his partner struck him and they fell into the ditch.

He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and to damaging his partner’s phone after he stood on it during the incident on January 1.

Nicola Quinney, defending, said since Corrie has been in custody he has reflected on what happened and he is apologetic and remorseful.

Recorder Melly sentenced Corrie to 17 months of custody. She imposed a five-year restraining order for Corrie not to contact the complainant or visit her at Thurnscoe, Rotherham.