In brief: A 25-year-old man has been jailed for four years by the Royal Court after punching his pregnant former partner in the stomach and strangling her until she lost consciousness. Iuri Goncalo Silva Ascencao, who has no previous convictions, was also handed a domestic assault protection order and recommended for deportation.
A Catalogue of Violence
The Jersey Evening Post reports that Iuri Goncalo Silva Ascencao, 25, appeared in the Royal Court to be sentenced for offences of domestic abuse, grave and criminal assault, assault and malicious damage. The abuse, the court heard, began during the couple’s relationship, with Ascencao controlling what his partner wore and hitting her when she went out. Things worsened after they moved in together, and the woman eventually left the shared home around three months later because of the continual violence, though the pair remained in contact.
The most serious incident occurred when the woman was six weeks pregnant. At his flat, Ascencao grabbed her by the throat and repeatedly punched her in the face before striking her stomach with what she described as “big force”, telling her “I hope that baby dies.” When she tried to lock herself in the bathroom to escape, he followed her inside and continued the attack as she curled into a ball on the floor. He then pulled her up by her hair and strangled her with such force that she could not breathe, leaving her unconscious.
After she lost consciousness, Ascencao called 999 using her phone, but ended the call when she came round. The woman eventually escaped and walked to police headquarters, where officers observed severe bruising to her neck and a bloodied nose.
Sentence and Police Response
The Royal Court sentenced Ascencao to four years in prison. In addition to the custodial sentence, he was handed a domestic assault protection order and recommended for deportation. The court noted that he has no previous convictions.
Detective Constable Pippa Le Mottee said: “Today’s sentence of four years’ imprisonment, together with the recommendation for deportation, reflects the seriousness of this offending.” She also commended the victim, adding: “I would like to commend the courage and resilience shown by the victim, whose support throughout the investigation and court process was vital in bringing this offender before the court.”
Source: Jersey Evening Post
