Domestic violence prisoner released on tag from Armley jail to help relieve pressure caused by coronavirus

A court heard Kyle Wootton had spent three weeks in the prison since pleading guilty to the attack.

Wootton was told he was being released from jail on tag, partly as a result of the crisis being caused by Covid-19.

Wootton appeared before Leeds Crown Court via a link from the prison for his sentencing hearing.

During the hearing he said: "It's very bad in Armley.

"On my wing about 15 people have it now and they are all self-isolating."

The court heard Wootton attacked his girlfriend at her home in February 2018.

Bashir Ahmed, prosecuting, said the couple had been in an on-off relationship for about 12 months before the incident

Mr Ahmed said the defendant had been in a "bad mood" the day before the attack.

The attack happened after he knocked on the door at 6.30am.

Wootton was allowed into the house and the victim then got on the sofa to go to sleep.

The 23-year-old walked over to her and punched her in the head.

Mr Ahmed said the woman cried out in pain and reached for her mobile phone to call police.

Wootton grabbed her hair, took the phone from her and threw it to the floor.

She tried to leave the house but he dragged her back by her hair.

The victim's friend heard screaming coming from the house and tried to get inside

Wootton continued to drag the woman back by her hair and slapped her face.

Her friend managed to kick the door open and pushed Wootton aside.

The women were able to get out of the property and contacted police.

The victim suffered swelling and bruising to her face.

Police arrested Wootton at his then home in Yeadon but he managed to run off as he was about to be taken to a police station.

He was arrested again from the property two days later.

Wootton, now of Royd Avenue, Bradford, was released on bail but failed to attend a magistrates hearing so he could go to a funeral.

He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, escape and failing to attend court.

Gerald Hendron, mitigating, said Wootton has no previous convictions.

Mr Hendron said Wootton was no longer in a relationship with the victim and he had a new partner.

Judge Neil Clark sentenced Wootton to 12 months, suspended for 18 months.

He was also made the subject of a three-month curfew, at a house in Guiseley, Leeds, between 7pm and 5am each day.

The judge said: "You have been in prison for three weeks.

"It has had some effect on you during the period of this worldwide health crisis.

The judge said he was also imposing the sentence as Wootton had not been in trouble in the two years since the offences.

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