Man sentenced for serious assault in Bournemouth

Meshach Stephens, 19 and of Tower Road in Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to a grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years detention at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 12 January 2018.

At around 10.20pm on Monday 4 September 2017 the victim – a Bournemouth woman aged in her 20s – was walking along Christchurch Road.

As she walked past an alleyway near to Corpus Christi Church she was approached by Stephens.

Stephens grabbed her from behind and she began screaming. He threw her to the ground before kicking her twice in the head. She briefly lost consciousness before he kicked her again in the head and the ribs. He also punched her in the face before making off.

The victim and Stephens are known to each other.

Officers located Stephens and arrested him along Seabourne Road a short time later.

Detective Constable Chris Waters, of Bournemouth CID, said, “The actions of Stephens were truly shocking. I wish to praise the victim for her bravery in supporting the investigation and I would also like to thank the members of the public who came to the assistance of the victim during the incident.

“I hope this sentence sends out a strong message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.”