Man who repeatedly assaulted a woman and threatened to cut off her head is jailed

A 51-year-old man who violently assaulted a woman and threatened to cut her hands and head off with a machete has been jailed.

Dean Powell, of Ross Road, Longhope repeatedly physically assaulted the woman, including smashing a large glass into her head.

Gloucester Crown Court heard how in 2023 Powell threw a vacuum cleaner at her, which caused bruising to her head. 

He was arrested and the court was told he took steps to make the woman fearful of seeking help from the police and reporting incidents to them.

In another incident he threw a television remote at the woman's head, which caused a split on her forehead, profuse bleeding and has left her with a scar. 

While he was on bail for previous offences he dragged a coffee table into the lounge of the remote farm where he was staying and brought in a machete.

Powell told the woman to put her hand on the table, and when she said no, Powell told her to put her head on the table.

Judge Rupert Lowe KC said: "You armed yourself with a machete and demanded that she put her hand on the table so you could chop her hand or fingers off, you then said you would chop off her head.

"This was not a joke, it was a series of ferocious threats to make her fear serious injury or death, which she did."

The court was told the woman was terrified by the threats Powell made with the machete. He then grabbed her hair, sat on her, and repeatedly hit her head into the hard floor.

Powell's violent actions caused her to have significant blood loss, and he then picked up a large glass and hit her in the ear with it.

During another incident in December 2023, he hit her in the face repeatedly and did not stop until she lost consciousness.

The court heard how he had been arrested on numerous occasions and he had restrictions to not contact the woman or attend her address.

Powell persistently breached a non-molestation order which had been put in place, including making contact with her, attending her home address and inundating her with calls.

During his sentencing hearing on 23 May, the court was told how Powell, who has 41 convictions for 102 offences, previously violently assaulted two other women and had been convicted for those offences.

He headbutted one woman three times, punched her in the face repeatedly while she was driving and punched her in the stomach.

Powell headbutted another woman, bit her arm, punched her to the face and body and threatened her with a knife.

In his mitigation, Powell's defence barrister said excessive drinking underlies some of his offending, and that he is embarrassed about his past and wants a more positive future.

It was heard how he is struggling with the prison environment and he has been attacked twice while he has been on remand.

Powell had pleaded guilty to four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of breaching a non-molestation order.

The basis of the guilty pleas were not accepted by the Crown, and a trial of fact took place where the woman gave evidence in court. The Crown's case was accepted by the judge.

Judge Lowe said: "You could kill somebody one day, and I feel you really do present a danger of doing that."

He added: "You are an offender with an extensive history of serious violence to women in particular, and you pose a real danger of causing significant harm to any future partners in particular that you may have."

He was jailed for four years and due to deeming Powell as dangerous, the judge gave him an extended sentence with an additional three years to serve on licence. 

Powell was also given a 12-year restraining order which prohibits him from contacting the woman, posting about her on social media or going to the road where she lives.

Following the sentencing, investigating officer PC Ryan Foxall said: "The sentence passed to Powell marks the conclusion of a protracted, complex and crucial investigation into a horrific case of domestic abuse.

"I would like to commend the survivor for her remarkable courage, bravery and determination in providing evidence against Powell. He had blamed her for the injuries he was in fact responsible for, and thankfully the court saw beyond his account and ruled in favour of the facts of the case.

"The injuries Powell inflicted on the survivor, and his actions against her, are some of the most serious, disturbing and graphic I have seen within my career as a police officer.

"Powell was deceptive and protested his innocence throughout the investigation, while he flouted each and every rule placed on him with both bail conditions and a non-molestation order.

"This sentence marks the beginning of Powell's punishment following months of relentless behaviour and horrific assaults he committed against the survivor in this case.

"This sentence also marks the beginning of a healing journey for the survivor, and I sincerely hope she finds the closure she deserves."

Professional support is available for anyone who has an abusive partner, former partner or relative – contact Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service on 01452 726 570 or email: [email protected]. More information is available on their website: https://www.gdass.org.uk/

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme gives any member of the public the right to ask the police if their partner may pose a risk to them. It is often called 'Clare's Law' after the landmark case that led to it.

This scheme also allows a member of the public to make an enquiry into the partner of a close friend or family member. For more information on this visit: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/alpha2/request-information-under-clares-law/

To report a domestic abuse related incident call police on the non-emergency number 101. In an emergency, or if the incident is ongoing, always call 999.