A violent boyfriend with an extensive record of crime savagely punched a woman with so much force that she suffered a seizure and a temporary loss of sight in one eye.
Mark Weekes had been previously sent to jail and appeared to have a problem with short-term relationships with women. However, he now claimed that he had finally turned a corner and wanted to stay out of trouble.
The 45-year-old admitted assaulting his female victim, causing actual bodily harm, on April 29 2021 however Weekes had originally denied the offence and the case was listed for trial before he changed his plea to guilty on the day the trial it was due to begin.
Ben Hammersley, prosecuting, said that Weekes, from Gatwick House, Hull, punched his ex-girlfriend in the face during a confrontation, causing her to have a minor seizure and to suffer a temporary loss of vision in her right eye.
In a later telephone call, he was heard admitting that he had carried out the assault and that he was going to be taking the woman to hospital, according to Hull Daily Mail.
“She made a full recovery,” said Mr Hammersley at Hull Crown Court. It seemed that she suffered seizures as part of an unrelated condition, he added. Weekes had convictions for 54 previous offences between September 1993 and September last year, including two of assault in 2007 and 2019, and breaching a domestic violence protection order.
Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, mitigating, said that Weekes had difficulties in short-term relationships and these were clearly unsuitable for him because he had earlier been involved in a four-year relationship where there were no issues. “He is ashamed of what he has done,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan.
“He has expressed remorse in relation to this offence. He has had significant time to reflect on his behaviour and the way he treats females.
“He wants to change after this and he will change. He tells me that he will not be troubling the courts in the future.”
Weekes had been hard-working in the past and had previously worked as a fence erector. He had a daughter but had not been in contact with her since being remanded in custody.
Judge John Thackray QC told Weekes: “Violence within a domestic relationship is not less serious, it is more serious and that’s because your victim was entitled to feel safe and secure in your company and not punched with such force that she had a minor seizure and a temporary loss of vision in her eye. Thankfully, there has been no permanent long-term damage but you were not to know that before your punch.”
Weekes had served prison sentences in the past and his previous convictions were a very significant aggravating factor in the assault. “I am not satisfied that your risk can be managed in the community or that you can be rehabilitated,” said Judge Thackray.
“Only appropriate punishment can be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence.” Weekes was jailed for 16 months and was given a 10-year restraining order.
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