A Melksham man launched a brutal attack on his ex-girlfriend after forcing his way into her home.
Paul Bird, 33, appeared at Swindon Crown Court for sentencing having pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on 31 October – when he was due to stand trial after initially denying the offence. Charges of affray and possession of an offensive weapon will lie on file.
Prosecutor Alex Daymond said the defendant, of Speedwell Close, sent abusive messages to the woman following the ending of their 18-month relationship due to it being “rocky” in June 2021.
He told her that “your family can’t afford a solicitor, my family’s rich”, referring to a potential future custody battle over a young child they have together. He went on to say: “I hope you die”.
On 29 July, he turned up outside her flat having already made entry through the communal doors at around 9.45am. He was shouting and banging on the door, leaving the victim in fear about what he might do.
Moments later he forced his way through her door, started calling her a “whore” and shouted at her about things his friends have reportedly told him – including that she was seeing other people.
He grabbed her by the throat and pinned her against the wall. Mr Daymond said that he was “squeezing so hard she was struggling for breath and couldn’t say anything”. Bird told her that he was going to kill her.
The strangulation stopped, and the victim caught her breath – but the defendant continued to be aggressive. He went on to take hold of her head and smashed it against the wall multiple times “very hard”.
The incident unfolded whilst their pair’s one-year-old was crying in a nearby room. The victim went to the child and picked them up. Despite holding their baby, Bird hit her on the back of the head.
As she put the child down as she feared further assaults. Bird then pushed the victim to the floor before arming himself with a 10-inch kitchen knife.
He threw the blade towards the woman and told her to kill herself with it. He picked up a second knife and waved it around whilst continuing to shout aggressively. At this point, the incident had been ongoing for around 20 minutes.
Bird eventually started to calm down and asked the woman for help. He went on to apologise for his violent attack – but then blamed her for the incident. He told her it was her fault because the ending of their relationship resulted in him spending time with unsavoury people.
Injured, with wounds on her head, chest, arms and knee, she called the police to report the assault.
In her statement, the woman said she now has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suffers nightmares and flashbacks. She said that she finds it “impossible to trust people and friendships and relationships” and “did not suffer with the issues before being abused by Paul”.
The court heard that Bird has five previous convictions – including for the possession of a baton in public in 2017 and drug driving whilst 16 times over the cocaine limit in 2021.
In January this year, he was also convicted of another domestic assault on his new girlfriend. In that incident, he pulled the woman from his car during a dispute. He was fined after pleading guilty at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.
Matthew Harbinson, defending, said that his client admits the “terribly unattractive assault” as alleged by the victim, and – despite the contents of the pre-sentence report inferring a lack of remorse – is remorseful for his actions.
“In the minutes and hours after the incident, he apologies. It’s an unusual feature which shows he is capable of accepting responsibility for his actions”, he added.
Mr Harbinson went on to say that Bird has suffered “significant issues in his life”, including the loss of his driving licence following drug-driving offences – which also resulted in the loss of work, bringing an end fo 15 years of continuous employment.
He said he has lost all contact with his child and is living back at home with his parents and claiming benefits. He described Bird as being “at a bit of a low ebb”.
Mr Harbinson said an immediate custodial sentence would undoubtedly remove his self-esteem and ability to get employment in the future. He asked for a suspended sentence.
Judge Townsend labelled the incident “a very serious assault”.
He said: “The overwhelming evidence, including the pre-sentence report, shows you are someone unwilling to face up to your actions and you indulge in victim blaming.
“You are a potential risk to female partners in the future. You have another battery in a domestic content, though I accept it is a different type of offence.”
Judge Townsend said the impact on the victim was “very substantial” and she is still suffering from PTSD and flashbacks nine months after the events.
He said Bird showed “some remorse, but only modestly in my judgement”. Adding: “You’ve accepted what you’ve done but continue, to some extent, to blame your victim; this is underlined by the messages you sent to the victim.”
He took into account Bird’s parent’s health and imposed a two-year custodial sentence – but suspended it for two years. He also imposed 180 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Townsend told the defendant he must complete the Building Better Relationships Programme and take part in 25 rehabilitation days.
A restraining order was also put in place, prohibiting Bird from contact directly or indirectly with the victim or going to her address. It will remain active until further order.
