A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for seriously assaulting three women whilst holding them hostage at knifepoint on Christmas Day in Newport.
Michael Phillips, aged 40, forced entry to an address in Carisbrooke Road on 25 December 2021 whilst drunk and under the influence of cocaine.
Phillips then proceeded to assault a woman known to him within the address, along with the woman’s mother and his partner who was also at the address at the time.
Held hostage for three hours
Police were called shortly after midnight on Boxing Day, and officers were told that Phillips had prevented the women from leaving before assaulting them over a period of three hours.
His partner managed to flee the address and go to a friend’s house, when police were called.
Isle of Wight Crown Court heard that during the horrifying ordeal inside the address, Phillips threatened the women with a knife, before one of the victims was cut on the hand.
Repeatedly kicked, headbutted and punched the women
Over the course of three hours, Phillips repeatedly kicked, headbutted and punched the women if they spoke. One of the women was kicked so hard in the head that when her head hit the wall it left a dent.
Officers attended to find the property covered in blood and Phillips was arrested.
Continually denied offences
Phillips, of no fixed abode, was charged with a number of offences which he continually denied, and the case proceeded to trial on Monday 15 May this year.
On 17 May, the jury found him guilty of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, one count of making threats to kill and one count of criminal damage.
Seven years sentence
Appearing at the same court today (Thursday 27 July), he was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison with an extended license period of a year.
DC Jodie Parsons said,
“This was a truly horrific and degrading period of extreme violence inflicted on three women.
“What they experienced was awful, and I am so pleased that the man responsible has now been locked up to ensure the safety of these women and others.
“Violence of any kind is not tolerated by police, and we take a particularly robust stance against domestic abuse.
“I hope this case gives confidence to other members of our community who are suffering violence at home to come forward and report to police.”
Seek support
We want anyone who is suffering domestic abuse to have the courage to contact police and seek support.
We appreciate that not everyone wants to speak to police. However, there are organisations in your area, completely independent of the police that can help you if you need it.
The Paragon team – part of the charity The YOU Trust – provide specialist support to victims of stalking and domestic abuse on the Isle of Wight. You can visit their website here: https://paragonteam.org.uk/
For individuals living in other areas of Hampshire, you can visit the website to find a list of support services near you that can help.
News shared by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, in their own words. Ed
