Man Assaults Ex-Partner and Police Officer in Shocking Incident
A recent incident in Cardiff has left the community shaken after a man, identified as Lee Walker, 54, caused serious harm to his ex-partner before assaulting a police officer. The events unfolded after an evening of drinking, as reported in Cardiff Crown Court on February 13. The court heard that Walker and his partner had been out for drinks before a dispute occurred when they returned to her flat. During the altercation, Walker attempted to take his partner’s keys and ended up causing her knee ligament damage by twisting her knee.
The victim sought medical attention the next day at Barry Hospital, where it was confirmed that she had sprained ligaments in her knee. Due to being with Walker at the time of the incident, she did not disclose the real cause of her injury to hospital staff. The court further heard that Walker, under the influence of alcohol, sexually assaulted a female police officer in a lift at the flats block while being arrested for the assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) to his partner.
In a harrowing victim impact statement read in court, the assaulted police officer expressed her anguish, stating, “I would rather have been punched in the face than endure this.” Walker’s defence counsel, Tom Roberts, detailed that his client had significant cognitive difficulties due to a serious road traffic accident when he was 17 years old. This incident resulted in learning difficulties for Walker, which were exacerbated by a traumatic brain injury.
After being released from custody, Walker moved in with his sister and brother-in-law, who imposed strict alcohol rules that Walker adhered to. Acknowledging Walker’s efforts, Judge Lucy Crowther imposed a suspended sentence of 32 weeks, consisting of 14 weeks for the ABH and 18 weeks for the sexual assault on the police officer. Additional conditions included a 90-day alcohol abstinence requirement, nine months of mental health treatment, and participation in 10 days of rehabilitation activities.
Judge Crowther recognised that alcohol was a significant factor in both incidents, despite Walker’s pre-existing cognitive difficulties. She commended Walker for reducing his alcohol consumption and noted the importance of rehabilitation and mental health support for him. A restraining order was also issued against Walker, protecting his ex-partner for a year.
This disturbing case highlights the importance of addressing underlying issues such as alcohol abuse and mental health in cases of violence and assault. It serves as a reminder of the impact of such actions on both victims and perpetrators. The court’s decision to focus on rehabilitation and support for Walker underscores the need for holistic approaches to addressing criminal behaviour and preventing future harm in communities.