Leeds thug jailed for attack on partner

Mark Dunwell, 38, punched the victim repeatedly in the face and left her covered in blood during the incident at her home in Leeds.

Leeds Crown Court heard Dunwell had recently been released from prison when he attacked the woman on October 12 last year.

Dunwell had been out drinking and returned to the woman’s home on Harehills Lane to find her asleep on the sofa. Duncan Ritchie, prosecuting, said the woman had not gone to bed as she was fearful that he would come home drunk and turn violent.

Dunwell took the victim’s bank card as he knew she had just had benefits paid into her bank.

When she tried to stop him he started the assault. Dunwell then took her mobile phone and smashed it up to stop her calling police.

He also stopped her getting tissues to stem the bleeding to her face.

Dunwell left after an hour and the woman was able to call a taxi to her mother’s home. She later discovered that the benefit money had been withdrawn from the bank.

Dunwell was arrested and returned to prison. He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Graham Parkin, mitigating, said Dunwell had admitted the offences at an early stage. Mr Parkin said his client accepted that they were mean offences committed against the victim.

Dunwell was given a seven month sentence.

Recorder Ian Harris said: “These were mean offences caused by the aggravating features of your alcohol intake and greed for money.”