Violent bully dragged woman by hair after Leeds United promotion parade - before smashing witness' car
A violent bully launched a prolonged and terrifying attack on his partner after the Leeds United promotion parade - before turning on a brave witness who tried to help.
Alex Owens punched the woman so hard she collapsed to the ground, then bit her nose, dragged her by the hair and tried to strangle her in the street.
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The 34-year-old, of Strathmore Avenue, Harehills, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link from HMP Leeds over a string of offences, including GBH and intentional strangulation.
In the early hours of May 6, Owens had been out celebrating with his partner following Leeds United's promotion parade in the city centre - an event that saw thousands of fans line the streets to welcome the Championship-winning squad on their open-top bus after securing a return to the Premier League.
Prosecution barrister Bashir Ahmed said that as the couple made their way home, Owens became aggressive and confrontational before launching the violent assault.
“He punched her in the right eye so hard that she fell to the floor,” said Mr Ahmed. “He grabbed her, bit her nose and dragged her by her hair.”
A passing jogger distracted Owens, allowing the terrified woman to get to a shop on York Road and ask for help. But moments later he burst in and pulled her out.
A passing motorist saw the assault unfold in the middle of the road and described the victim being thrown around “like a ragdoll”. The witness stopped to intervene - but Owens smashed her car window with a piece of wood, stole her purse and later used her bank card to buy tobacco.
The attack came just months after Owens and an accomplice targeted the CEX store at Crossgates Shopping Centre in the early hours of December 15, 2024. The pair cut through the metal shutters before prising them open to force their way inside. Once in, they used a brick or stone to smash the glass of a display cabinet, snatching mobile phones and other electrical items.
Owens was charged with Section 18 GBH with intent, intentional strangulation, theft from a motor vehicle, and criminal damage. He also admitted wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, along with burglary in relation to the break‑in at CEX. The court heard that Owens has 43 previous convictions for 72 offences.
Defence barrister Stephen Smithson said that, despite his extensive criminal record, Owens had at one point managed to stay out of trouble for almost five years, holding down a job in dry lining.
“Having had a taste of regular employment, he hopes to go back to that lifestyle once released,” said Mr Smithson. “He does not want to be looking over his shoulder fearing a knock on the door for offences that he's committed.”
Judge Ray Singh told Owens: “You pinned her by the shoulders and then you bit her using your teeth as a weapon on her nose. Only after some distraction did she escape - but you chased her to the shop, dragging her out by the hair.”
He added: “All of this happened while you were on licence from prison. This was a serious incident and it was prolonged, lasting for a number of hours.”
Judge Singh praised the courage of the motorist who intervened, asking for her bravery to be formally commended and for her to be compensated from public funds for the damage to her car. Owens was jailed for 33 months.