Man who assaulted his ex-girlfriend then broke a Good Samaritan’s jaw jailed for two-and-a-half years

A Trowbridge man who carried out a brutal assault on his ex-girlfriend before going on to break a Good Samaritan’s jaw in a separate unprovoked attack has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Shaquille Gordon, 27, of The Slipway in Staverton, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court yesterday (10th November) for sentencing after previously being convicted of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and actual bodily harm (ABH).

He was previously cleared of three related charges of common assault, affray and criminal damage.

The first incident took place at an address in Trowbridge on the night of 8th March 2020, when Gordon went to his ex-partner’s house and carried out a brutal attack on her.

Her injuries included a split eyebrow, bruising and swelling to her face, including two black eyes, a cut lip and bruising around her throat.

Gordon fled the scene but was arrested the following day by police.

He was later charged, but while awaiting trial he carried out another unprovoked attack, this time at a pub in Trowbridge.

In the early hours of 24th July 2021 police were called to the garden of The Kings Arms pub on Castle Street after Gordon launched a violent assault on a fellow customer.

The victim, a man in his 20s, had tried to intervene when he saw Gordon allegedly assaulting a woman. Gordon responded by punching the victim a number of times in the face, leaving him with a fractured jaw.

Again, Gordon fled the scene but was arrested by officers a short time later at his home address in Staverton.

The woman did not support the police investigation into the allegations of assault against her, so no charges were brought for that aspect of the case.

Gordon was found guilty of ABH relating to the assault on his ex-partner following a trial and pleaded guilty to GBH in relation to the incident at the pub.

Senior Police Investigator Keith Harford, from Central CID, said Gordon was a violent offender who had showed no remorse for his actions.

He commented, "Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victim in the ABH case, who has shown a huge amount of bravery throughout this investigation and had to give evidence in court due to Gordon refusing to admit to his actions.

"I hope this case provides her, and other victims of domestic abuse, with reassurance that these types of crimes are taken incredibly seriously by the police.

"We know how difficult it can be for people to speak out about the abuse they are subjected to at the hands of a partner or ex-partner, but we want people to feel confident that they will be listened to and that support is out there.

"Both of these incidents have proven that Gordon is an incredible violent and volatile offender, who thinks nothing of launching unprovoked brutal attacks on those around him".

For more information about the support available for victims of domestic abuse, including the details of charities and other organisations who can help, please visit our website and search “domestic abuse”.

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