2022-06-20
Attacker who asked victim if she was 'ready for round two' is jailed
Stage: Sentence
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Codd said it was a very serious prolonged assault on a vulnerable woman within the context of an intimate relationship, which she said that Saunders had been fully engaged in. She acknowledged from the various testimonials that the "conduct was out of character", that Saunders was "a valuable member of the staff" at his workplace and that he was a dedicated father. "A message of deterrence has to go out in terms of this type of physical violence on women," Judge Codd said, before she imposed a three-and-half year sentence with the final six months suspended on strict conditions, including that Saunders engage with the Probation Service for six months following his release from prison.