Crime
Rampaging man jailed for assault on ex-partner in Cambridge
A man who spat in his ex-partner’s face and went on a rampage in Cambridge has been jailed for more than two years.
Paul Stanford, 46, saw the woman in the Station Tavern pub, in Station Square, Cambridge, on 3 February.
Stanford, who was subject to a restraining order preventing him from contacting her, began to argue with her before spitting in her face.
Paul Stanford, of Daniels Close, Willingham, admitted three breaches of a restraining order, assault causing actual bodily harm, five counts of assault by beating, racially aggravated harassment, affray, and common assault.
Enraged, he left the pub and began lashing out at some plant pots. He then left the area and walked into the path of a man in a nearby carpark. When the man asked if he was OK Stanford punched him in the face.
Stanford briefly returned to the pub, before storming off towards a nearby hotel where he pushed cups and glasses off a table. He then started shouting at another man and also punched him in the face.
The man managed to push Stanford away and restrain him, before security guards from a nearby shop came to assist.
Threat to police officers
When police arrived Stanford racially abused one of the officers and threatened him.
During the subsequent investigation Stanford’s ex-partner said he had also punched her in the face on 26 December – another breach of his restraining order.
Stanford, of Daniels Close, Willingham, admitted three breaches of a restraining order, assault causing actual bodily harm, five counts of assault by beating, racially aggravated harassment, affray, and common assault.
Yesterday (4 May) at Peterborough Crown Court he was jailed for 142 weeks.
DC Matthew Lander said: “Stanford’s behaviour that day was completely unacceptable as he attacked his ex-partner and random members of the public.
“Restraining orders are put in place to protect victims of crime from further trauma and the criminal justice system takes breaches very seriously.
“I’d like to thank student officer Lara Wycherley for her significant contribution to this investigation, which has resulted in a custodial sentence.”
Anyone who is suffering any form of abuse is urged to reach out for support. More information and advice can be found on the Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s dedicated domestic abuse web page.
