A MAN from Stroud has walked free from court after chipping his former partner’s teeth by assaulted her with a laptop. 

The 36-year-old man spent five months in custody awaiting sentence.

Gloucester Crown Court heard yesterday (June 22) that Sean Griffin, formerly of Cow Lane, Inchbrook, Stroud had been in a relationship with his girlfriend for just over nine months when it ended on January 2 this year.

Stroud News and Journal: Gloucester Crown Court Gloucester Crown Court (Image: Gloucestershire Police)

Prosecutor Ellen McAnaw said Griffin’s former partner stated that he had occasionally been violent towards her during their relationship.

However, she stated, when they went out together to a pub on Sunday, January 2 they were both in a good mood.

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“They remained in good spirits until a comment was made to the woman suggesting that Griffin was not good enough for her,” said the prosecutor.

"The atmosphere then changed between them.

"An argument began as soon as they walked through the door.

“Griffin stated to her that he might as well leave and began packing up his possessions.

"The woman went to check on what Griffin was doing and when she opened the door he immediately hit her to the face with his laptop.

“The blow was extremely forceful and left her in great pain.

"The woman’s mother went upstairs and found her daughter covered in blood.

"In a statement the victim describes that her nose is now subject to a long period of dental treatment.

"She also stated this incident has changed her approach to life and is anxious about the future.

Charlotte Evans, defending, said: “This was a very difficult time for Griffin and the victim as a number of circumstances between them had a put a strain on the relationship.

“He is a qualified chef and I believe any custodial sentence could be suspended so he could work full time to keep him busy.

He has already served five months in custody.

“He has since secured accommodation in Newquay in Cornwall and has the possibility of a job in that area."

Griffin pleaded guilty on the day of his scheduled trial to an assault causing actual bodily harm on January 2, 2022.

The judge Recorder Richard Stead told Griffin: “This offence of assaulting a woman causing actual bodily harm was particularly unpleasant.

“It was a single strike with a laptop causing her serious injury to her face and damaging her teeth.

"Under the circumstances I shall have no hesitation of imposing a restraining order for you not to contact your victim by any means or enter Stroud for the next five years.

“You have been in custody for five months and in light of that I will suspend your 16 month prison sentence for two years.”