Thug who beat girlfriend begged to be spared jail to ‘take care of guinea pigs’

A person who beat his girlfriend has been jailed – regardless of asking the decide to spare him so he might go dwelling and take care of his guinea pigs.

Tristian Hogben, 46, was convicted of a brutal assault on his accomplice throughout which he smacked her head towards a shower, put his arms on her neck to cease her from speaking and repeatedly hit her head towards the ground. During sentencing at Canterbury Crown Court Hogben’s lawyer begged the decide to not ship him to jail so he might go dwelling to his guinea pig “farm”.

Phil Rowley, defending, mentioned Hogben had launched a “fledgling” enterprise elevating the animals earlier than he was remanded in custody for the assault final yr. A good friend had been caring for the rodents however Hogben was “very focused” on getting again to them, Mr Rowley added.

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The courtroom additionally heard Hogben had been in an “on-and-off” relationship together with his sufferer for round 5 years when the assault came about. They had been dwelling in Canterbury collectively for 9 months on the time.

Prosecutor Caroline Knight instructed the courtroom the pair grew to become embroiled in a row on August 7 of final yr and the sufferer went to a good friend’s home at about 6pm. Hogben then arrived on the residence “drunk however calm” however rapidly grew to become offended.

“He put his hands to her neck to stop her talking, smashed her head repeatedly on the floor and, when in the bathroom, hit her head on the bath,” Ms Knight mentioned. While no medical proof might be offered to the courtroom, images confirmed “a nasty bruise” on the sufferer’s head in addition to scratches on her neck.

Hogben, beforehand of Old Park Avenue, Canterbury pleaded responsible to assault inflicting precise bodily hurt after giving a “no comment” interview. He was additionally discovered not responsible on one depend of intentional strangulation.

He has 21 earlier convictions for 30 offences, eight of which had been violence-related. He was additionally topic to a 16-week suspended sentence when he dedicated the assault for breaching a restraining order and possessing Class A medication with intent.

Mr Rowley added Hogben had “reflected on his conduct” and was “anxious to be at liberty” so he might return to his animals. But Recorder Vivian Walters mentioned the one acceptable punishment was quick custody and Hogben was jailed for 20 months.

She mentioned: “This was an assault incurred in a domestic context and you were in drink when it was committed.”

The courtroom heard the sufferer had not supported the prosecution and no restraining order was sought in reference to the assault.

If you have got been affected by problems with home violence or coercive management you possibly can name Refuge’s 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline at no cost. The quantity is 0808 2000 247, or you possibly can entry assist by way of their web site.