A MAN battered his girlfriend in a savage attack lasting almost half an hour.
Victim Jaime Wells sustained bruising to her eye socket, rib cage and abdomen.
Reading Crown Court heard on Wednesday, April 24, that Michael Iles admitted assault causing actual bodily harm on June 22 last year.
But prosecutor Jack Wright said he did so on a basis that was unacceptable to the crown.
He said Iles, who used to live in Newbury and now lives in Blossom Avenue, Theale, had been shot in the head with a ball bearing gun earlier on the day in question.
Consequently, added Mr Wright, “he doesn’t accept that he knew it was Ms Wells he was assaulting.
“We don’t accept this for a number of reasons - most crucially her own evidence.”
He said Iles had assaulted Ms Wells in the pub beforehand and threatened to kill her.
Mr Wright went on: “He attacked her directly, called her a c*** and and said something that was specific to Ms Wells - he knew exactly who it was he was assaulting at the time.”
He also referred to the “prolonged and persistent nature” of the 25-minute attack.
The court heard Ms Wells has suffered psychological as well as physical harm and had been signed off work as a result.
During the onslaught, the court heard, Iles accused Ms Wells of being responsible for his having been shot earlier.
In short, concluded Mr Wright “there’s clear evidence she was the intended victim of the assault.”
Consequently there would need to be a Newton hearing, said Judge Matthew Turner.
A Newton hearing is a mini trial to determine the facts when a defendant has admitted an offence but on the basis of a different version to the prosecution’s, and when this would make a material difference to the sentence, depending on which version was believed.
Judge Turner added: “It’s a fairly high hurdle for the defence to get over in a Newton hearing in the absence of any medical evidence.”
Emily Mattin, defending, said she was “fully aware” of that and also of the fact that the crown had recently provided more evidence, including a 22 minute 999 call the victim made while she was being attacked.
Nevertheless, she added, “Mr Iles does maintain his basis of plea.”
The court heard that Ms Wells would be required to attend the hearing to give evidence.
Judge Turner adjourned the proceedings until July, when a Newton hearing will be held ahead of sentencing.
He said: “The defendant is currently serving a prison sentence, and has been for some time now, so he will be remanded in custody.”
