Chef jailed after filming attack on ex-partner

A chef who threatened to decapitate his ex-partner in a "prolonged and vicious" attack, which he filmed on his mobile phone, has been jailed.

David Thompson, 49, burst into the victim's flat in Harrogate while she was watching television, before stamping on her, hitting her with a stereo unit and smashing a glass vase over her head.

York Crown Court was told the woman, who said she had feared she was going to die, suffered extensive bruising and cuts to her hand and knee, caused by shards from the glass.

Thompson, of The Square, Hillam, was jailed for three years and eight months after admitting attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm.

The court heard how, when Thompson got into the flat, he shouted: "It's a good job I didn't bring my cleaver around or I'd chop your head off right now."

Prosecutor Oliver Norman said he then kicked the woman in the head "with full force" before stamping on her.

The barrister said Thompson then dragged her to the floor and, while she was curled up in a ball, smashed the vase over her head.

Police were called by the woman's neighbours who had heard her screams and "loud crashing sounds".

During the hearing, the court was played footage from his mobile phone in which she was seen pleading with Thompson to leave.

In it, she screamed: "Help me, help me. Stop it please. Please help me somebody."

When officers arrested Thompson, it was evident he had been drinking and had blood on his shorts and trainers.

He initially claimed he had acted in self-defence and said he "should have killed her", the court heard.

The attack happened in June 2024, a year after the pair had split up.

The court was told they were initially on good terms, but when Thompson found a new partner the relationship with his ex had soured.

In a statement read out in court, the victim said during the attack she "closed her eyes believing she was about to die".

She said she had since suffered from severe anxiety and depression and was unable to work.

Defence barrister Oliver Connor said Thompson had mental-health problems and had lived a "law-abiding life" since the attack, continuing to work as a head chef.

Passing sentence, judge Sean Morris described the attack as "shocking".

"What you did was go round to her flat where she was on the bed and you subjected her to a prolonged and vicious attack," he said.

"You threatened to kill her, you kicked and stamped on her head, leaving your own footprint in her flesh."

Thompson, who has a previous conviction from 2016 for battering another former partner, was also given a 10-year restraining order banning him from contacting his victim.

Det Con Rebecca Foster from North Yorkshire Police said: "Domestic abuse can have a devastating and lasting impact on victims. We would like to commend the bravery of the victim in this case, as well as the members of the public who intervened and contacted police when they realised something was wrong.

"We welcome the sentence handed to Thompson and hope it provides the victim with some reassurance as she continues to recover from her ordeal."

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