Benjamin Usher jailed for three years after violent assaults

Benjamin Usher, 34, has been sentenced to three years in prison following a series of violent attacks against a woman. The sentencing took place at Guildford Crown Court on August 7 after Usher pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of intentional strangulation.

The court heard that on November 16 of last year, Usher intentionally strangled the victim, cutting off her breathing. After she escaped, he pushed her to the ground and punched her in the face, causing haemorrhaging and a black eye. In a subsequent attack on January 29, Usher struck the woman with a sealed beer can while she was sleeping. The force caused the can to burst, resulting in further injuries including two black eyes.

In addition to the prison term, the court imposed an indefinite restraining order to prevent any further contact between Usher and the victim. During the proceedings, the survivor provided a statement regarding the lasting psychological and physical impact of the abuse.