April 1, 2019 4.37 pm This story is over 59 months old

Man jailed after attacking ex and her new man

He punched a man
Robert Sewell was jailed for two years. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

A spurned boyfriend broke into his ex’s home and attacked her and her new man on New Year’s Eve, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Robert Sewell, who split up with Jennifer Pidgley just seven days earlier, kept a key to her home and broke in during the early hours of the morning.

Stuart Lody, prosecuting, said that Ms Pidgley had already formed a new relationship with Mark Reynolds and the couple went out for dinner together before returning to her property in Tattershall.

Mr Lody said: “As they arrived and parked up the defendant was seen to be lurking around. They went in, locked the door and called the police.

“The police attended and gave them some advice about safety and left.

“Shortly after that the defendant suddenly appeared inside the premises.

“He came into the kitchen and approached Mr Reynolds punching him in the face. He shouted abuse at Ms Pidgley before picking up an item and throwing it against a hot tub, causing damage.

“The defendant then ran out. They locked the doors and called the police. Officers attended and again left.

“Just after 4am there was a further incident. Ms Pidgley and Mr Reynolds were in the bedroom when the defendant suddenly appeared holding an empty whisky bottle which he threw against a wall causing it to smash.

“He began arguing with Ms Pidgley and calling her names. He then seized Mr Reynold’s mobile phone and smashed it.”

Mr Reynolds chased Sewell out of the house but the defendant stole his wallet. His credit cards were later used to buy goods at local shops.

Ms Pidgley and Mr Reynolds later discovered that both of their cars had been vandalised.

Sewell, 32, formerly of Tattershall but now living at Hickford Hill, Belchamp St Paul, Essex, admitted burglary and common assault to Ms Pidgley and Mr Reynolds.

He also admitted four charges of damaging property and two charges of fraud by using Mr Reynolds’ bank card to buy goods at Tattershall Post Office and the Martin McColls store in Coningsby.

He was jailed for two years and given a five year restraining order, banning him from contacting Ms Pidgley and Mr Reynolds and from entering Tattershall.

Judge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, told him: “People who break into other people’s homes in the middle of the night, threaten them and use violence go to custody.”

Terry Boston, in mitigation, said: “He and Ms Pidgely had been living together for two years. He was a very angry man when he was confronted with what he was confronted with. He over-reacted to something that must have been very emotionally traumatic to him.

“He used the keys he still had from living there. He hadn’t handed the keys over. I don’t think he believed that the relationship had ended.”

Mr Boston said that Sewell has since moved to Essex and is running a business restoring listed buildings.