Electrician bound and gagged estranged wife
A GAYWOOD man who tied up his estranged wife in a "cruel, sustained and violent attack" has escaped a prison sentence.
Electrician Alexander Symonds (29), of 10 Barnwell Road, admitted affray when he appeared for sentencing at Norwich Crown Court yesterday.
The court heard Symonds tied up his wife Lorraine, pulled her on to the bed and tried to gag her with a pair of socks during a 15-minute attack on Sunday, January 4.
He previously denied falsely imprisoning her and threatening to kill James Bowers on the same day. These charges will remain on file.
Richard White, prosecuting, said the couple had been married for 11 years but had agreed to end the relationship.
On January 4, Mrs Alexander returned home from a night out to find her husband alone in the main bedroom.
He bound her arms with cable ties from his work and when she threatened to scream, he tried to put a pair of socks in her mouth, Mr White said.
Symonds told his wife "he knew what was going on" and she pleaded with him to let her go.
Unbeknown to her, he had taken their two children to his parents' house. She managed to run away once she knew they were not in the house.
Mrs Symonds told police she had feared for her life but her husband had "acted out of character".
Emma Kurzner, for Symonds, said: "This is a terribly sad case. He is a quiet, well-mannered man who has always worked very hard and who comes from loving parents.
"He is a peaceful man who just snapped. His wife does not want him to go to prison, he acted badly, but is remorseful."
She said they had stayed together over Christmas for the sake of the family.
Symonds was handed a 24-month community and supervision order and told he must attend a domestic abuse programme.
Judge Alasdair Darroch said: "This was a cruel, sustained and violent attack on your wife.
"I have to take a number of things into consideration – you pleaded guilty, the attitude of your victim, the fact it has been a long time. I have read such flattering things in your references, that you are a quiet, hard-working man. But you do need therapy.
"At some point you will have another relationship and you must not let it happen again."
Symonds was also ordered to pay 350 towards the prosecution costs.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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