Man is jailed for two vicious assaults (From Swindon Advertiser)

Swindon man is jailed for two vicious assaults

3:47pm Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News

A MAN who assaulted two men after harassing his former partner has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Lee Knapman, of Swindon Road, Stratton, launched the vicious assaults after breaching a non-molestation order by bashing on the door of his former partner.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court the 40-year-old was banned from contacting Nina Houston last September. On June 15, Knapman, who was on bail and a conditional discharge for other assaults, went to her house on Walter Close, in The Prinnels, and bashed on the front door.

She refused to answer, turning off the television and hiding, and he went and hammered on the back door. After 45 minutes she shouted for him to go away and he replied with vile abuse.

He left, but returned a short while later where they argued about her seeing two men nearby who were just friends.

Knapman then went to the nearby flat of Shaun Barrett, punching him to the face as he answered the door.

He then rained more blows on him and kicked him, causing him briefly to lose consciousness.

He then went and knocked on Ian Standring’s door and followed him into the living room. Once there he landed numerous punches on him. He warned Mr Standring if he called the police he would pour petrol through his letter box and burn him in his bed.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm and one of breaching a non-molestation order.

Mike Pulsford, defending, said his client had taken a cocktail of drink and prescription drugs. He said he had spent his time in custody on remand to work on his temper and substance abuse, including alcohol.