Man from Sutton Veny admits 10 offences including false imprisonment, strangulation and sexual assault
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A man from Sutton Veny has pleaded guilty to 10 domestic abuse offences after putting a victim through a 10-hour torture.
Tommy Hitt, 46, of Springhead, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on March 26 and pleaded guilty to:
- Intentional strangulation
- False imprisonment
- Section 18 – grievous bodily harm with intent
- Assault a female 13 and over by penetration with part of body / a thing
- Assault a female 13 and over by penetration with part of body / a thing
- Threats to kill
- Assault a person, thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm
- Assault a person, thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm
- Criminal damage to property valued under £5000
- Possess a controlled drug of Class B – Cannabis/Cannabis Resin
On February 21, Hitt subjected his victim to a 10-hour ordeal, keeping her at his property against her will, assaulted her numerous times and shaved her head.
Detective Constable James Gatherum said, "In the late evening of February 21, Wiltshire Police received a 999 call to an address in Shaw. A woman had presented at a door of a property with significant and very pronounced injuries. This was the beginning of the end of a 10-hour ordeal at the hands of Tommy Hitt.
"The victim was kept at an address against her will, with her mobile phone deliberately damaged by him. Hitt strangled her and assaulted her with such force that he fractured her eye socket, leaving her with extensive significant bruising and swelling. She has lasting damage to both her retinas and lost a number of teeth.
"The victim was also sexually assaulted twice during those 10 hours, with threats being made by Hitt that he would kill her. To add further degradation to the victim, Hitt forcibly shaved her hair off. He then drove her to another location, and while doing so, repeatedly assaulted her within the vehicle. Fortunately, with quick thinking, the victim managed to escape, where she was able to raise the alarm.
"I would like to thank her for her incredible bravery in reporting the offences to the police, staying on board throughout the criminal justice process and speaking of her traumatic experience.
“If anyone finds themselves subject to behaviour like this, then please contact us – you will be listened to and you will be supported."
Tommy Hitt has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on June 13.
If you think you have been the victim of domestic abuse, there is help and support available. You can find more information on how to report on our website.
There is more information of local support agencies which include: