A Stevenage man has been sentenced to two years and four months imprisonment at St Albans Crown Court after assaulting his ex-partner and controlling her with fear.  

Billy Smith aged 24, of Westminster Gardens in Houghton Regis, Dunstable, was also given an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim. 

The court heard Smith been in a relationship with the woman for around six months and during the summer of 2022, Smith punched his former girlfriend in the face following a verbal argument outside the Mulberry Tree in Stevenage causing a cut to her mouth. 

On a separate occasion, outside the Tranquil Turtle restaurant in Stevenage he grabbed her by the hair and beat her to the ground using a belt, he then forced her to walk home with no shoes on, all the time threatening her with violence, the victim thought he was going to kill her. 

When she ended the relationship, Smith bombarded her with abuse and threats. 

When Smith was arrested on 27 July in Houghton Regis, he assaulted a police officer by punching her, causing her nose to bleed.  

Investigator Jayne Atkin from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (DAISU) said: "Smith's actions have had a huge impact on the victim's life. No one should live in fear of physical harm from their partner."  

"We were able to build a case against Smith, with the victim's support and bravery, demonstrating that he was responsible for the injuries and psychological abuse inflicted on her."  

Smith pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour, assaulting an emergency worker and breaching a restraining order with a different victim and was sentenced on Friday 21 October.  

Detective Sergeant Louise Cleary added: "I am pleased that the court recognised the harm he had caused and served him a custodial sentence, with an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim from further abuse.

"I would like to thank the victim for her bravery and support for this investigation, and staff at the Tranquil Turtle for assisting in the investigation." 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, call 0300 790 6772* for advice and support from Hertfordshire's Independent Domestic Abuse Advocacy service. This number operates from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, calls may be diverted to a national service.