A serial abuser has avoided prison for two ‘horrific’ assaults on his then-girlfriend.
Alex Lockey, 21, was convicted of two counts of causing actual bodily harm and appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday (4 September) for sentence.
Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the defendant carried out attacks the 19-year-old woman – whom he was in relationship with for more than seven years – on 1 June and 15 June 2022.
In the latter incident, Lockey became abusive over a comment he’d seen posted on her Instragram. He demanded to see her phone, shouting: “I’m really going to f***ing hurt someone”.
He proceeds to lie on top of her on the bed, head-butting her in the centre of her forehead. He continued shouting at her, leaving the woman “scared and afraid”. As she cried, the defendant mimicked her.
The victim left the room and spend about five minutes alone before the argument continued. Lockey threw a piece of wood at her as she attempted to leave. “Don’t make me do this shit to you”, he said.
She continued to try and escape, but Lockey kicked the door in a bid to shut it – but instead, he struck the woman in the face, causing pain and a large bruise.
He went on to cover her mouth and nose with his hand and push her onto the bed before slamming her into a wall, injuring her back. During the attack, her glasses were also broken.
Police were called to the scene and the victim disclosed a further incident which occurred a couple of weeks previously – also in her own home.
In that assault, Lockey ran over her foot with his motorbike – causing some pain. When she expressed that she was hurting, he told her to “shut up”.
An argument ensued about the fact he had brought a friend to her address as she had just finished a 15-hour shift at work. He became angry, kicking her down the stairs as he held the bannisters.
He locked the door and said: “If you call the police I’ll f***ing kill you and smash your phone”.
At Swindon Crown Court in August, Lockey was convicted of an assault on the same victim. He also has previous convictions for domestic assaults on other females.
Emma Thacker, defending, said that the relationship was “very toxic” – but stated that her client “maintains that it didn’t happen” despite being convicted at trial.
She said Lockey is a “young man with his own vulnerabilities” including ADHD, and has been waiting for an autism assessment since he was seven years old.
District Judge Dickens imposed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
“What you did was horrific, absolutely horrific. She was bullied and assaulted by you… she didn’t know when you were going to kill her I suspect.
“I know you’ve got problems, but you would not have done this to a professional boxer, Tyson Fury or someone like that, if you were in their house.”
“It had and will have a lasting huge affect on her… you’re really fortunate her injuries were more serious. She thought you were going to kill her, you tried to stop her calling the police and she was absolutely terrified by what you do.”
Accepting that Lockey, of Radnor Street, Swindon, is “young enough to change”, she told him to complete 25 rehabiliation activty days, the Building Better Relationships programme and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.
Judge Dickens reserved any breaches of the order to herself, adding: “It’s a lot of work, but it’s that or prison… you will go to prison if you decide you’re not going to do it.”
A three year restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting contact with his victim.
