Bournemouth man jailed for headbutt attack on partner

The complainant managed to break free from Martin David Allan's attack by spraying him in the face with furniture polish.

In a state of fear she ran into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard she suffered bruises and scratches to her leg, face and arm at the hands of the defendant.

Allan, 34, appeared in the dock on Thursday, July 13, having admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and failing to surrender to custody having been released on bail.

Judge William Mousley KC told the defendant: “You have a distorted view of domestic violence partly based on your own life experience.”

The judge said Allan had been in a relationship with the woman for more than 15 years, but the complainant described it as “violent and abusive”.

Martin David Allan (Image: Dorset Police)

Prosecuting, Mike Mason said the defendant came into the woman’s Bournemouth address on the evening of May 19 last year. He had been drinking alcohol that day, according to the complainant's statement.

Mr Mason said Allan became annoyed when the complainant phoned for a Chinese takeaway and a row about money he claimed she owed him ensued.

During the incident, which the woman said lasted 15 minutes, the defendant headbutted the woman to her nose and held her in a hold around her torso and then her mouth.

They both fell to the floor before the defendant wrapped his legs around her.

When he grabbed the complainant by the check and pushed her face with force, she felt dizzy and bit his hand as she could not breath, the court heard.

“She sprayed his face with furniture polish and he eventually let go,” Mr Mason said. "She fled to the bathroom and locked the door."

In a victim personal statement, the woman said: “I do not feel as though I am living my life.”

She added: “I feel used. I have always tried to do my best by him.”

The complainant said she was “sick and tired of being Martin’s punch bag”, adding: “It is time I started living my life.”

Allan had 35 previous convictions for 51 offences, including 13 offences against the person.

The court was told the defendant, previously of Stone Gardens, Bournemouth, failed to attend court on the day of his trial for the assault in April before pleading guilty to the offence at a later hearing.

Bournemouth Crown Court (Image: NQ)

Mitigating, Philomena Murphy said: “I have had a very candid discussion with Mr Allen this morning.

“He is under no illusions as to what he faces today but he does appear to have shown some aspirations to change.”

Allan hoped he would come out from custody, get a roof over his head and secure a job, Ms Murphy added.

In jailing the defendant for 23 months, Judge Mousley KC said: “She (the complainant) was left feeling unsafe at her home, worried that you were going to turn up so in fact she moved out and stayed away from home.”