Man admits assault after repeatedly punching girlfriend

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 19:02 · Archive

Matthew Knights admitted assaulting his partner after punching her repeatedly in the face at her Great Yarmouth home while their three children were present.

Matthew Knights, aged 35, of Clerks Piece in Beccles, appeared at Norwich Crown Court having admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of damaging property. The offences occurred at his partner's Great Yarmouth home between 29 and 30 May. The couple had been in an 'up and down' relationship for about eight years and were initially having what the prosecutor described as 'quite a nice night' when she received a welfare check call from police.

According to the court, Knights then became 'angry and abusive', damaging items in the house including a television. He left the property, kicking the door and garage door, but was allowed back in as he had nowhere else to go. When told to sleep downstairs, he 'just snapped'. The prosecutor told the court that Knights pinned the victim to the banister with one hand and punched her 'repeatedly to the face' with his other hand. He then left before calling to ask if he could come back inside.

When she let him back in, she told him to stay downstairs and that she 'didn't want anything to do with him' before barricading herself into her bedroom. The next morning, Knights started screaming and shouting again and damaged more items before police were called and he was arrested. Three children were present during the attack.

How it is being reported

• Mum forced to barricade herself in bedroom after boyfriend repeatedly punched herA mother was forced to barricade herself in a bedroom after her boyfriend repeatedly punched her in the face during an attack at her home while their three children were there.Eastern Daily Press · 19 Oct, 18:30
• Mum forced to barricade herself in bedroom after boyfriend repeatedly punched herA mother was forced to barricade herself in a bedroom after her boyfriend repeatedly punched her in the face during an attack at her home while their three children were there.Norwich Evening News · 19 Oct, 18:30

In this story: Matthew Knights · Great Yarmouth · Norwich Crown Court · Beccles

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