Man from Southery avoids going to prison after assaulting woman in ‘long attack’

A Southery man has avoided going to prison after carrying out a “long attack” with “substantial force” on a woman.

Derrick Cowley, 31, of Pringle Way, was sentenced at Lynn’s Magistrates’ Court last Thursday after pleading guilty to two counts of assault by beating at a hearing on June 1.

Prosecutor Paul Brown said that on January 23, Cowley had been “bickering” with the victim about him taking some money.

He admitted to taking the cash and grabbed the woman by the throat.

He again “saw red” and punched the victim in the face which caused her to start crying.

The victim then spoke to a friend via video-link and Cowley was seen punching the victim in the face again.

The woman was punched to the floor and was slapped around the face.

The woman ran to seek help and the police were then called.

Cowley has a number of previous convictions including nine offences of violence.

In mitigation, Charlotte Winchester said that her client accepts that he punched the woman but denied grabbing her by the throat.

She added that Cowley has since apologised to the victim and is trying to make amends.

In regards to Cowley’s “poor” health, Ms Winchester said that Cowley has diabetes and bone disease and has already had two toes removed and is planning to have his leg amputated in a couple of months.

Magistrates decided that Cowley’s actions crossed the custody threshold and gave Cowley 10 weeks in custody, suspended for 24 months.

This means if Cowley reoffends in the next two years, he will go to prison.

Speaking on behalf of the magistrates, William Hush described the offence as a “long attack” using “substantial force.”

Cowley was also ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and court costs of £105.