An abusive boyfriend jailed for a horrific attack in which he tried to bite out his pregnant fiancée's eyeball has been recalled to prison after attempting to contact her.
Benjamin Jones was sentenced to 50 months in prison for the attack, as well as other offences, but was walking the streets again just 12 months later after being released on licence.
However, the 30-year-old is now back behind bars after breaching the terms of his license by trying to get in touch with his victim, who has a 10-year restraining order against him.
Jones, previously of The Street in Attleborough, was convicted last June of two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and another of assault by beating, all relating to his sustained abuse of his partner.
He was held on remand before his sentencing and had served a total of 18 months in prison before he was released on license.
His recall has led domestic violence groups to question whether abusers are being let out of jail too quickly.
During his original sentencing, the court had heard details of his campaign of terror against his partner.
The couple had met in Attleborough in 2021, when she was 24. They had bonded over a drink and enjoyed a whirlwind romance, involving lavish holidays and expensive gifts.
However, shortly after their engagement the violence escalated.
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Police were told she had received a black eye, handprints from slaps across her body and scarring.
They also heard that she had been thrown outside naked and made to sleep there, in freezing temperatures.
He also put her in the back of his car in her pyjamas and told her he was going to put her in a ditch. He violently beat her before chucking her out on the side of the road.
On other occasions, he slammed her foot in the door, smashed several phones, caused bruising by slapping her and pushed her downstairs.
She had returned home earlier but when she heard him pull up in their driveway he became loud and violent.
Fearful for her life, she called 999 before hiding her phone where he would not be able to find it.
He grabbed her off the toilet, put her in the bath and ripped her engagement ring from her finger.
He pulled her mouth apart and spat inside, before headbutting her in the face while violently pulling her hair.
He then dragged her through the bedroom by her hair and began strangling her.
It was then he tried to bite her eye out, telling her that he would disfigure her so that no one else would want her.
His teeth missed, and instead he gouged out a chunk of her eyebrow.
It took the police two days to arrest him, while she recovered in hospital.
It is understood that the victim is continuing therapy.
A police spokesman said: "A 30-year-old man has been arrested and recalled to prison."
- One in three women and one in five men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. For support contact NIDAS by calling 0300 561 0555, texting 07860 063464 or emailing referrals@nidasnorfolk.co.uk
WHY WAS HE ALLOWED OUT?
Emma Nurse, Leeway’s business services manager, said: "It’s important that the dangers that perpetrators of domestic abuse pose is fully recognised.
"We know that they will go to extreme lengths to continue to maintain their power and control over their victim, including disregarding any restrictions that are put in place to keep victims safe.
"While we know that there are many challenges posed due to the overcrowding of prisons, the safety of victims must be the priority and we support the view of national organisations, such as Women’s Aid, that perpetrators of domestic abuse must be exempt from early release.
"It’s important that we send out a strong message that domestic abuse is not tolerated and that tough action will be taken against perpetrators, whilst ensuring the safety of survivors."
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