Chichester man admits ‘degrading’ violent assault including sticking chewing gum in partner’s hair

Jamie Allen, of Blackboy Lane in Fishbourne, pleaded guilty to assaulting Amber Woodrow in her Chichester home on March 2 at Worthing Magistrates’ Court yesterday (July 8).

The court heard that on the evening of March 2, Allen repeatedly called his victim on the phone and arrived at her home, banging on the door.

After letting himself in using his own key, the prosecution said Allen found Miss Woodrow in the bedroom and pushed her onto the bed.

“He was towering over her, screaming at her,” the prosecution alleged.

The 20-year-old was accused of grabbing Miss Woodrow’s arm and leg and pinning her down on the bed – an assertion rejected by the defence.

The court heard Allen then took a piece of chewing gum out of his mouth and stuck it in Miss Woodrow’s hair, before throwing a chest of drawers and stamping on it until it was ‘destroyed’.

Allen again rejected the court’s account and said he ‘moved’ the drawers, but did not throw them.

He was then accused of throwing dinner plates at the wall before calling his mother, to whom he indicated he ‘wanted to kill’ Miss Woodrow and ‘wanted her dead’.

Allen received a caution in November, 2019, for an assault on Miss Woodrow, the court heard.

Despite pleading guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, Allen’s differing account to the prosecution’s version of events means a second hearing, known as a Newton Hearing, was required.

Chairman of the bench Gavin Oclee-Brown said Allen’s claim that he did not pin Miss Woodrow down on the bed was significant, as it was the difference between whether or not it was a ‘sustained assault’.

“It would have a significant effect on the sentence,” he said. “It was a sustained assault and we have to consider the degradation on the victim.”

A Newton Hearing, scheduled for September 29 at Horsham Magistrates’ Court, will decide whether to use Allen’s or the prosecution’s version of events when deciding on a sentence.

Allen was released on bail and told not to enter Miss Woodrow’s home address or to contact her in any way.