Prison for man convicted of assaulting partner in Northampton
It follows a 999 call received last November
A man who ripped out a woman’s hair in a violent assault has been jailed for more than two years.
On the afternoon of November 4, 2023, Northamptonshire Police received a 999 call from a woman in Northampton reporting her partner had attacked her, punching her and pulling out a large clump of her hair, as well as threatening her with a knife and stabbing her sofa and phone so she couldn’t call for help.
Response officers attended to find a neighbour helping the highly distressed woman, who told them her injuries had been inflicted by Andrew Williamson, aged 41, following an argument stemming from his jealousy and drug use.
She went on to reveal Williamson had strangled her during the incident, restricting her breathing, punched her repeatedly in the face and had held a knife in a threatening way to stop her calling for help before he fled the scene.
The attack took place while two young children were also in the property.
The Force’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit (DAIU) began an investigation and issued a wanted appeal for Williamson, who was arrested in January 2024.
He went on to be charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation and two counts of criminal damage.
At Northampton Crown Court on April 11, Williamson, of Stolford Rise, Tattenhoe, Milton Keynes, admitted the assault charge but denied the other three offences, which were later discharged.
On July 25 he returned where he was sentenced to 27 months in prison.
Williamson was also given a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly or attending anywhere she lives or visits, and was ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.
Speaking afterwards, investigating officer PC Rachel Powell of the DAIU said:
“During our investigation it became painfully apparent just how much fear and distress Andrew Williamson has caused to this woman.
“This was a prolonged attack that left her with injuries that have affected her both emotionally and physically. He ripped out so much of her hair as to have partially scalped her, causing injuries among the worst I have seen in my 20-year career.
“Williamson’s violence, threats and intimidation left her feeling scared and powerless to escape him but thanks to her bravery in speaking up about what he put her through, he admitted his guilt and has rightly been imprisoned for his unacceptable actions.
“This woman deserves nothing but happiness in her future and I hope seeing Williamson plead guilty and rightly go to prison gives her some comfort as she continues to heal and recover.
“We know how difficult it can be to leave an abusive relationship and we are here to offer help and support to those ready to do so, as we work to ensure offenders are held to account.”