A vicious assault on his partner – which on one occasion left her hospitalised – may never have been reported to police had it not been for a member of the public.
It was only after a 6.30am by a concerned resident called police after an incident at the woman’s home, they she felt able to tell them the full story of the man’s action.
These, a court heard, included:
*Knocking her unconscious
*Biting her
*Damaging her car
*Threatening her family
*Smashing a window
The full story emerged at Cambridge Crown Court when Karl Cooke of Dahlia Close, March, was jailed for five years.
Cooke, 30, first came to the attention of police when a member of the public called them at just before 6.30am on 8 May.
He had damaged his ex-partner’s Audi TT in March by stabbing its tyres with a knife, smashing a window, and scratching it in numerous places.
The pair had split up two years previously but had argued after a chance encounter two days before the Audi TT was damaged.
Victim finally tells police her story
However, on speaking to officers about her car’s damage, she reported she had been attacked by him 18 months previously, while they were in a relationship.
She told police that in October 2020, she had been knocked unconscious by him and when she awoke, he was on top of her with his hands around her throat.
She said Cooke bit her nose, causing a small scar, and covered her face with a pillow until she almost lost consciousness for a second time before getting up and laughing.
The woman added that Cooke had attacked her again in December 2020, with such force she required hospital treatment.
At the time, she told hospital staff she had fallen over while getting out of the shower.
Police visited Cooke’s home to arrest him and found the knife used to damage the Audi.
In July, two months after the car damage, the woman received a threatening phone call from Cooke at just after 10.30pm in which he told her: “I’m a man, you know what I’m capable of”.
Cooke called the woman again at 11pm and, in total, 18 times in one hour – with some of them answered in the presence of police. During the calls, he threatened her and her family.
Array of offences admitted
Cooke admitted assault occasioning grievous bodily harm (GBH) without intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), damaging property, possessing a knife in public, sending a threatening message and harassment.
He also pleaded guilty to further charges of producing cannabis and possessing class A and B drugs after officers found cannabis being grown in a tent at his home in March 2020.
The cannabis plants were seized, together with more than £1,100 in cash, phones, and other drugs.
In committing the offences, Cooke had breached a suspended sentence and was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday (10 February), where he was jailed for five years.
He was also given a restraining order for seven-and-a-half years, preventing him from contacting his ex-partner in any way.
DC Chris Enright said: “Cooke’s thuggish actions were disgraceful, and I would like to praise the victim for bravely coming forward and confiding in us the abuse she had suffered.
“We will not tolerate domestic abuse or harassment of any kind and I am pleased Cooke has been brought to justice and can now reflect on his actions.
“I also hope his victim can feel some measure of comfort and closure. Tackling domestic abuse is a top priority and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep victims safe.”
Advice and information about domestic abuse, including support services, can be found on the force website.
Please find attached a custody photo of Cooke, together with photos of the cannabis found at his home.
