DA survivor's "immense strength" praised after perpetrator jailed

On the morning of 5^th May this year, Joshua Cain, 38, of Brassmill Lane, Newbridge, Bath, repeatedly called his ex-partner on the phone, threatening her, before breaking into her address near Bradford on Avon.

He then assaulted her by grabbing her by the wrist and throat, again threatening her.

Cain then went through the victim’s phone, before assaulting her again by violently slapping her in the face multiple times. He then dragged her across the kitchen and strangled her against the wall, leaving her in fear for her life.

While Cain was distracted by going through her phone, the victim was fortunately able to contact a colleague who called the police.

In a Personal Statement for the court process, the victim said: “Since the offence, I have felt anxious and on edge. I have been unable to sleep properly. I wake several times a night, often not being able to fall back to sleep at all.

“My usual routine has fallen apart. I was a regular gym goer but have not been since and don’t feel I can go now. I don’t walk my dog on my own anymore and if there is no one to go with me then I don’t walk her at all.

“I replay the events of that morning in my head a lot. I am plagued with feelings of shame and embarrassment. I have lost my confidence, and retreated into myself. I feel guilty to go out and enjoy myself. I feel shame that someone I loved wanted to hurt me.”

When officers arrived, Cain fled by jumping out of an upstairs window. A foot pursuit then took place, before he was apprehended in a field nearby and arrested.

Cain was charged with intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

He pleaded guilty to the offences and in a hearing at Swindon Crown Court on Thursday, he was jailed for two years. A five-year restraining order was also put in place.

Local Crime Investigator Shonna O’Harney said: “This must have been an incredibly frightening and traumatic incident for the victim in her home, no doubt impacting the feeling of security which you should be able to have at home.

“I want to pay tribute to her for coming forward and reporting the abuse to the police. She has then shown immense strength throughout the process to bring about this sentencing.

“We take these reports very seriously and we will always act robustly to bring domestic abuse perpetrators before the courts.

“If you are experiencing any form of domestic abuse, please come forward.”

If you have experienced abuse of any kind then you don’t have to deal with it alone, and it’s never your fault. Call 999 if you are in danger, if threats have been made against you or if a crime is in progress.

If you need the police but are unable to talk due to your situation, you can dial 999 then press 55 instead of asking for the police: How to make a silent 999 call | Wiltshire Police