Man, 29, sent to prison for domestic sexual assault

A 29-year-old man has been handed a 10-year prison sentence after being found guilty of domestic sexual assault.

On June 5 last year, Ryan John Smith, previously of Daventry, assaulted a woman after headbutting, strangling and punching her inside a property in the town following a night out.

Before she managed to leave the house he forcefully snatched a gold chain from around her neck.

He then threw her to the floor, stood over her and repeatedly punched her before proceeding to sexually assault her while she screamed for him to stop.

The attack left the woman with two black eyes, a fractured toe and extensive bruising to her body.

Following the incident, the woman bravely reported what had happened to Northamptonshire Police and Smith was charged with criminal damage and assault, which he pleaded guilty to, and sexual assault, which he took to a trial.

The trial took place at Northampton Crown Court in December last year with the jury taking just 40 minutes to convict him of the offence.

This week at the same court, Smith was handed an extended sentence of 10 years - comprising of seven years in custody and an extension period of three years, due to his assessed dangerousness. 

For the sexual offence, he was given seven years, extended to ten years, for the assault, he was given three years to run concurrently, and four months for the criminal damage, also to run concurrently.

Lead Investigator – Detective Constable Gina Anderson from the Force’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “I am really pleased with the sentence handed to Ryan Smith – his attack was an abhorrent demonstration of violence and I hope the survivor takes some comfort in the fact that he will now spend a period behind bars.

“I am incredibly proud of her for the strength she has shown throughout this investigation. Not only did she stand up in court to give evidence at the trial but she wrote a very powerful personal statement which was read out at sentencing.

“Her courage has ensured a dangerous man is now in prison and unable to harm anyone else and though this attack will stay with her for a very long time, I hope she is proud of the bravery she has demonstrated.

“Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for Northamptonshire Police and all of us in the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit are passionate about bringing offenders to justice and providing victims with the care, support and listening ear they need to get away from the person causing them harm.”

If you have been a victim of domestic abuse, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or via the Northamptonshire Police online reporting tool at www.northants.police.uk

If you have been a victim of a domestic abuse but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965.

Voice is a support service for anyone living in Northamptonshire, regardless of when, where or how crime happened to you. Services are free, confidential and you don’t have to have reported anything to the police.

Or alternatively visit www.ndas.co or call the Sunflower Centre on 01604 888211 who are local organisations who can also help you.

Did you know you can also request information about someone’s domestic violence history under Clare’s Law by completing a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application. For more information visit www.northants.police.uk.