Restraining order for man who launched series of violent attacks on woman

A man has been given a seven-year restraining order after he launched a series of violent attacks on his former partner.

Howard Ingram, 31, of North Street, Wilton, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on July 17 after pleading guilty to three counts of assault occasioning ABH and intentional strangulation. As well as the restraining order, he was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Ingram’s relationship with the victim initially started off reasonably well but deteriorated over a period of time – in July 2023, during a disagreement, Ingram physically tried to remove the woman from his vehicle, using a full can of Coke to hit her repeatedly in the face, causing a black eye.

During another incident the following month, Ingram grabbed and choked the woman before getting her in a choke-hold, causing her to struggle to breathe and eventually lose consciousness.

During another disagreement, he punched her to the face multiple times, causing a broken nose and other facial injuries.

The assaults continued even when the woman was pregnant, with Ingram pinning her up against a wall before throwing her to the ground.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, the woman spoke directly to Ingram. She said: “You destroyed me to have me at your beck and call. You manipulated your friends and family from the day we met to believe I was this awful person, so when you allowed me to see your true colours, they would never believe me. You played your smear campaign right from the start.

"As much as it pains me to say, you do deserve whatever punishment comes your way, and this is no longer in my control. But I pray that nobody ever suffers by your hands again. I have come out of this stronger and happier than ever before.

"Yes, I am still recovering and that recovery will take time, perhaps even years. But it can take place inside the loving, safe, happy family that I have around me. If you were to lay your hands on a person – child or woman – more vulnerable than me – I don’t think they’d live to tell the tale. If I just walked away from all this without taking action, leaving you free to do the same to someone else, I would never be able to forgive myself.”

Local crime investigator Natalie Dalton said: “Ingram subjected the woman to a sustained campaign of violence, including strangulation, physical assaults and repeatedly using force against her. His actions were controlling, dangerous and completely unacceptable. There is no place in society for offenders like Ingram.

“This case has taken a long time from the point of reporting to the eventual sentencing. The survivor has had to overcome a lot of obstacles in order to support this legal process. She has been strong and resilient in the face of terrible circumstances, and I can only commend her for her strength and patience.

"Although still recovering from this relationship, her faith, her family and wider support network have helped her to reach this point, and I hope this sentencing also helps provide her with some form of closure.”