Man jailed for assault in Bournemouth hotel room that left woman with fractured skull
Samuel James Watkins, 35, repeatedly punched and strangled his victim
A man who attacked a woman a Bournemouth hotel, leaving her with a fractured skull, has been jailed.
Samuel James Watkins, aged 35 and of Guildford in Surrey, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court to be sentenced on Wednesday 10 July 2024 after admitting offences of intentional strangulation, inflicting grievous bodily harm, criminal damage, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and driving whilst disqualified.
He received a prison sentence of three years and 11 months, with the court also imposing a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his victim for a period of six years.
Between Friday 20 October and Sunday 22 October 2023 the defendant and his victim were staying at the Royal Bath Hotel in Bath Road.
During the evening of Saturday 21 October into the early hours of Sunday 22 October 2023, they became involved in an argument and Watkins punched his victim a number of times to her head as well as strangling her on two occasions.
Damage was caused to the hotel room during the incident and Watkins took his victim's car keys and drove away from the premises at around 1.45am. He was disqualified from driving at the time of the incident.
Police and the ambulance service attended the hotel and the victim was treated for a fracture to her skull as well as other injuries to her face and body.
Watkins was located and arrested in Surrey on Monday 23 October 2023.
Detective Constable Rhiannon House, of BCP CID, said: “Domestic abuse is a top priority for Dorset Police and we are fully committed to supporting victims and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice.
“Samuel Watkins subjected his victim to a sustained and violent assault and I want to praise her for the courage she has shown in supporting our investigation.
“I hope her bravery will help to give other victims the strength to come forward and report domestic abuse to us, in the knowledge that we will fully investigate the matter, treat victims with dignity and respect and hold offenders to account.”