Reading Magistrates' Court: Neighbours intervene as man attacks woman in her Hungerford home

A MAN launched a prolonged, savage attack on his partner in front of her children in their Hungerford home.

The 37-year-old rained punches to his victim's face even as she frantically dialled 99 for help.

He eventually became so out of control that neighbours – and even one of the children – had to intervene to rescue the woman, Reading magistrates heard on Thursday, August 11.

In the dock was Benjamin Halford, who had been living in Hungerford with Lorna Howard-Swain and her three children.

On the day in question, said Charlotte Abbott, prosecuting, Ms Howard-Swain had gone out for a walk, after asking Mr Halford to put the children to bed.

She added: "When she returned, they were still messing about and not in bed.

"This caused an argument between them."

Mr Halford followed Ms Howard-Swain upstairs and grabbed her by the hair, the court heard, before pushing her against the bedroom wall.

Ms Abbott said: "He punched one television set and kicked another, breaking both of them.

"They belonged to him, so there are no charges resulting from that."

Meanwhile, as Ms Howard-Swain had dialled 999, Mr Halford continued to rampage round the house, breaking the living room television set belonging to her.

The attack then began in earnest, the court heard.

Even while the phone was in her hand, magistrates were told, Mr Halford began raining blows to her face and head and one of the children tried to protect her.

But the onslaught continued, said Ms Abbott, with more punches to the head until eventually neighbours intervened and the police arrived.

Mr Halford, who currently lives in Castle Eaton Road, Marston Meysey, Wiltshire, admitted assault by beating and causing £782 worth of criminal damage to Ms Hoard-Swain's television, both on Tuesday, January 18.

He has previously been jailed and also received a suspended sentence for committing similar offences, the court heard.

Joanne Benn, defending, conceded: "This was obviously an unpleasant incident, domestic related."

She added: "A pre-sentence report would help the court.

"Mr Halford will speak to them to see if any courses are available."

She asked magistrates to hand the case to colleagues in Swindon Magistrates' Court because that is nearer to Mr Halford's current home.

The court agreed and ordered pre-sentence reports before sending the matter to Swindon magistrates for sentencing.

Mr Halford was meanwhile released on unconditional bail.