News

Jail for man who broke woman's jaw

By Barrie Hudson - 29 January 2021

Crime

A Swindon man has been jailed for more than eight-and-a-half-years after breaking a woman's jaw and robbing several shops.

The police saluted the courage of the woman attacked by James Cherry

James Cherry, 28, of no fixed address in Swindon, was found guilty of causing Grievous Bodily Harm at Swindon Crown Court in October of last year 2020 and was sentenced there yesterday - 28 January.
In the early hours of Sunday, 21 April, 2019, at a private address in Swindon, Cherry punched his female victim in the face. She was taken to hospital and had an operation to pin plates to the broken bones.

Cherry also admitted robbery and theft charges including robbing a McColls shop in June of last year and a pop-up shop in Cavendish Square, a robbery at the Esso service station on Dorcan Way in which he took tobacco, and theft of perfume from Lloyds Pharmacy in Park South as well as Superdrug in the town centre.

He was jailed for a total of eight years and seven months, and the judge also ordered a three years and five months extended licence period. This means he will be in the prison and probation system for a total of 12-years.

Following the sentencing, Det Con Tina Staynings, who was in charge of the assault case, said: "We welcome today's result as Cherry is a prolific offender.
"The injuries he caused to his victim during the incident in April 2019 were life-changing for her. He seriously assaulted this woman but then arrogantly denied he had purposefully hit her, maintaining his innocence all the way through the case and subsequent trial.
"I want to thank the victim for her bravery in coming forward to report this to police and supporting our enquiries throughout the case. Hopefully, today's sentencing will bring her some closure and comfort."

Det Con Clare Sylvester-Wyness, who was the officer in charge of the theft and robbery cases, said: "I am pleased that Cherry admitted the string of thefts and robberies, saving court time and public money on subsequent trials.

"His sentence, which also reflects these guilty pleas, means that hard-working, honest businesses in our town will be given some respite from his habitual criminal activities."