A HARROWING tale of domestic violence in Grays was told to magistrates today as a man who brutally battered his partner four times narrowly escaped being returned to prison.

David James Larcombe, 53, now of Bramble Road, Witham, was arrested last year after neighbours of his partner, Marie Picken were distressed by her injuries after successive beatings during which he punched and kicked her extensively. One of her neighbours called the police.

Ms Picken's distress and fear of future attack led to Larcombe being held in jail for six week until his trial before Basildon magistrates in January.

He pleaded not guilty to four separate changes of beating Ms Picken between 15 and 22 August, 14 November, 15 November and 17 November but was found guilty of all four offences – the latter of which resulted in Ms Picken being taken to A&E and she had to walk on crutches for more than three weeks.

Her head injuries were so severe it was possible she might have lost her sight because of an underlying medical condition.

At today's (Tuesday, 16 February) sentencing at Colchester Magistrates' Court prosecutor Nishma Exley-Smith ran through the story of assaults inflicted on Ms Picken by a man who repeatedly stressed he loved her – while battering her and putting her in fear of her life.

Ms Exley-Smithy told the court that Larcombe – who had a previous conviction for assaulting his then wife in 2007 – told that the four outbursts of violence had begun in August last year. By then the couple had been together for ten years, during which the court was told he was controlling, aggressive and threatening towards Ms Picken.

In the first bout of sustained violence, sparked by an allegation that she had spat at him, Ms Exley Smith said Larcombe "pounded her head and whole body." He then took her phone off her to stop her being able to call for help.

At the time Larcombe was smarting from the self-inflicted loss of money in a business venture and over following days he continued to assault her, leaving her badly injured.

The attacks resumed in November with bouts of sporadic violence that included kicking and punching her to the floor in her own bedroom.

After detailing the attacks and the injuries sustained, Ms Exley-Smith then read two victim statements to the court in which Ms Picken poured out her anguish and distress – also reliving the mental turmoil she had gone through.

The statement concluded by saying: "I am terrified he will come to my flat and he has told me he will 'finish me off'.

"I am battered and exhausted and frightened for my life and that of my daughter. I have never really recovered from a life-threatening illness several years ago, I have problems with my eyesight which mean that at some point I might go blind and this is not helped by being punched in the head.

"I had to attend A&E for treatment leading to me to having to use crutches. I was punched in the head continuously which led me to me losing my sight in eye one for a period of time and leaving me with concerns it could potentially affect an ongoing eye condition which is incurable and may lead to future blindness.

"He took my mobile phone and landline with each attack which he denied and after the last attack left me hurt on the floor before fleeing with both phones leaving me no means of contacting anyone for any help.

"My friends say I look so broken and I keep having flashbacks, seeing myself on the bedroom floor being kicked and punched.

"I am so fearful and terrified of him and I am finding it difficult to come to terms with how badly he hurt me.

"But I do not think that he thought I would go the court process but I had to do so because I felt he would kill me if the abuse continued."

Larcombe's defence told the court that he now regretted what had happened and was committed to rebuilding his life. He is currently out of work following his detention in prison but has hopes of a job in March.

Miss Lenoine told the court that Larcombe was aware of the distress and hurt he had caused and would no longer have any reason to go to Grays or try to see or contact Ms Picken.

She added he was fully prepared to meet all the requirements of a rehabilitation programme suggested by the Probation Service.

Chair of the bench Mrs Lucy Lavender said: "It is rare for us to hear of such serious common assaults as this.

"We have heard of the upset on the mental health of a vulnerable victim in her own home.

"You caused her to have to go to hospital. Your behavior was controlling and abusive and when it came to court you denied these offences and made her go through a trial.

"These offences are so serious that in our opinion they cross the custody threshold so you will be sentenced to six weeks imprisonment on each charge to run consecutively – that is 24 weeks in prison.

"However, we are willing to suspend the sentence of the court. The reason we are willing to do this is that you are willing and open to engage in the 'building better relationships programme'. It reads as if you are prepared to draw a line and move on and have demonstrated a very strong intention to work with probation.

"We also believe custody would also have significant impact on your family. "

The court had earlier been told that Larcombe was one of two carers for his parents who are in their 80s and 90s.

Larcombe was warned that any infraction of his suspended sentence, which includes an indefinite restriction meaning he can make no direct or indirect contact with Ms Picken or her daughter or a stepping foot in College Close, College Avenue or St George's Avenue in Grays would immediately see the suspended jail sentence implemented.

In addition he must attend a 40 day of rehabilitation activity and 29 sessions of 'Building Better Relationships'.

Court costs of £620 and a £120 victim surcharge will be deducted from his benefits, though the magistrates declined to implement the suggestion by Ms Exley-Smith that they might be minded to award compensation.