Desperate woman fled to ledge in bid to escape attacker

A man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for assaulting a Swindon woman and breaching a court order.

Kelam Smith, 24, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court. He tracked down the victim after previously being jailed for four months for attacking her.

Police Volume Crime Team Staff Supervisor Dan Cook said: “Smith posed a real danger to his victim and was sentenced earlier this year in April for assaulting the same woman. He was given a four-month custodial sentence for that offence and a restraining order which he chose to ignore.

“Smith knew he should not be contacting his victim but upon his release from prison he intentionally sought them out at a new address.

“Smith’s victim climbed out of a window and onto the ledge of a building to escape him. It was there she was spotted by a neighbour, and we were alerted. He went on to commit a violent assault pulling her hair and strangling her before making off from the address once police were alerted.

“Smith’s victim was so fearful of him she would not give a statement, so this prosecution was carried out on evidence alone.

“I’m really pleased with the sentence that Smith received. It’s an example of how, despite the victim not in a position to support the investigation, a positive result was still achieved through the investigative work of Swindon Community Policing Team and the Volume Crime Team.  

“We’d urge everyone to please let us know if you are fearful of someone’s actions – even if that is against someone you know.

“We will do our best to bring that person to justice and make Wiltshire a safe place to live.”

Smith was sentenced to 35 months in prison, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £167 and given a restraining order to stay away from his victim.