August 31, 2021 3.46 pm This story is over 31 months old

Jail for man who brutally attacked partner after England match

He punched and kicked her, and bit her ear
Dale Raw is now behind bars. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

A man punched and kicked his partner when he turned violent after they went to the pub to watch an England game, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Tuesday.

Dale Raw, 29, carried out the prolonged attack on Sarah Dobbs in the street and went on to bite her ear as she lay helpless on the ground.

Raw, who had been given a suspended jail sentence just two weeks earlier for assaulting an emergency worker, turned on Ms Dobbs on Mareham Road, Horncastle, on July 3/4 this year.

Andrew Fitch-Holland, prosecuting, said: “They had been in the pub to watch the England match. They had four or five pints of beer.

“Sarah Dobbs said the defendant wanted her to go home with him but she wanted to go home alone.

“She doesn’t remember how it started. She just remembers being on the floor being kicked and recalls the defendant bending over and biting her ear.”

Mr Fitch-Holland said a witness saw Raw deliver “five or six kicks”.

“The witness said the defendant was on top of the woman and continued hitting her to the stomach, head and elsewhere.

“The defendant was saying to the victim ‘It’s all your fault’ and added ‘I’ll get locked up for this’.

“Another passer-by drove past and saw the woman curled up on the floor. The defendant was sat on a bench with his head in his hands.

“The defendant then punched his victim a couple of times to the head and while sitting on her was seen to pull her arm up her back.

“He was also seen to knee her in the rib area. The woman was unable to fight back.”

Dale Raw, 29, of Brook Road, Horncastle, admitted a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm to Sarah Dobbs on July 4 this year and was jailed for 18 months.

He also admitted being in breach of a suspended sentence and was given a one month consecutive sentence.

Judge John Pini QC imposed an indefinite restraining order banning Raw from contacting Sarah Dobbs.

The Judge told Raw: “This was a prolonged, sustained assault. It was utter bullying and quite disgraceful behaviour.”

Neil Sands, in mitigation, said Raw realised he was facing an immediate jail sentence.

“He now fully accepts that the relationship is history.

“He accepts he can lose control. It appears he is now developing some insight into his problems. He is trying as best he can to put matters right.”