Man jailed for launching savage attack on woman

Simon Paul Bedford was jailed for 26 weeks for the attack which happened after he tracked the woman to her home in Teversal.

Bedford, 49 of Cowpes Close, pleaded guilty at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court to making threats to kill, assault by beating and harassment without violence against a woman.

He also pleaded guilty to sending a text message to a different female conveying a threatening message.

The court heard how Bedford had met up with the woman who he had known from school, on Facebook.

The two had exchanged messages and Bedford asked her out for a drink. They spent the night together but the woman decided she did not want him as more than a friend.

His Facebook messages and texts had been slightly controlling in nature.

But on July 17 he had started sending messages with abusive and sexual content after she told him she was seeing someone else.

Despite her asking him to leave her alone he left voicemails continuing the insults.

On July 25 the woman was shocked when Bedford knocked on her door as she had not told him where she lived.

District Judge Jonathan Taaffe heard how Bedford pushed her and started hitting her with a clenched fist.

When she put her arms up he carried on and threatened to kill her, accusing her of ‘playing’ him.

His victim ended up on the floor.

Fortunately a taxi driver who had taken Bedford to her house had been suspicious and kept the situation under observation. He had gone to help, along with a female neighbour.

The woman told police she was in shock and despite being a mental health nurse with experience of difficult patients, none had scared her as much as Bedford.

Bedford also admitted sending a threatening text message to another female on a separate occasion.

His defence solicitor said Bedford had long standing difficulties with alcohol and had written to police expressing his remorse.

The court heard he had a previous conviction for harassment of his ex-partner in 2010.

Jailing him for a total of 26 weeks district District Judge Jonathan Taaffe told Bedford “This was a savage attack . I have no doubt the complainant was in fear that she would be killed.

“If it had not been for the commendable actions of the taxi driver and a friend of the complainant it is probable that this case would be dealing with more serious charges.

“This lady was left in terror.

“She is a mental health practitioner and yet says she was more terrified than she has ever been.”

The judge also recommended that the taxi driver and friend of the woman be given commendations for their actions.