A man who strangled and punched a woman has been jailed after she got away from him by biting him on the nose.
Andrew Roache, 36, grabbed his victim by the throat and repeatedly hit her before driving her to the roadside and throwing her out of his car by her hair. When concerned members of the public tried to help, he then made threats to attack them with a machete.
The woman, from Doncaster, was forced to bite her attacker on the nose in a desperate bid to stop him from hurting her during the incident. Officers later brought Roache into custody, who was pictured in his police mugshot with blood splattered across his face.
His vulnerable victim went on to reveal to police how he had strangled her regularly over a prolonged period. This led police to launch an investigation where they reviewed hours’ worth of CCTV footage that captured Roache’s abuse and attacks.
He went on to plead guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour, non-fatal strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Roache, of no fixed abode, was jailed for two-and-a-half years and given a five-year restraining order against his victim on 22 February at Sheffield Crown Court.
‘Dangerous individual’
PC Alex Latham, of South Yorkshire Police, applauded his victim’s bravery following the outcome of the case. The officer said: “Roache is a dangerous individual who subjected his victim to a series of brutal assaults and horrifying abuse that left her terrified to be around him.
“He even threatened brave members of the public with violence when they tried to intervene and help the woman he had attacked and thrown in a ditch. I want to commend the victim in this case for her bravery in opening up to us about Roache’s offending.
“It has resulted in a deserved custodial sentence, and I hope it sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate vicious and violent crimes like the ones committed by Roache.”
More safe spaces for victims
Nationwide has become the latest high street bank to offer safe spaces to people experiencing domestic abuse. The building society said staff had received specialised training to help spot signs of abuse and offer support to those affected. This included helping them manage their finances, providing access to a specialist support team and other resources.
HSBC UK, which already operates safe spaces, recently reported that the bank has seen an increase in their use during the winter months. The bank joined Hestia’s safe spaces scheme in April 2022, and said that since then more than 200 people have used them HSBC UK.
TSB joined the scheme in May 2021 and it also offers an emergency flee fund, making a payment of between £50 to £500, depending on individual needs, to support domestic abuse survivors.
Safe spaces were launched by domestic abuse charity Hestia as part of the UK Says No More campaign. Upon asking a member of staff to use their safe space, people will be able to use a private room to help them deal with the issue. They can have access to a phone if they need one, and the chance to discreetly contact family, friends or specialist support.
