Man given suspended sentence after assaulting former partner

Sanjaya Hennedige, 37, of Little London, Benwick in Cambridgeshire, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday, May 26, after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).

The court heard that the offence took place on February 15, 2025.

On that evening, the victim had returned to her address in Andover, distressed about an issue involving a previous partner.

She had been drinking vodka and began tearing photographs from an old album. Hennedige arrived home at around 8pm, and the pair decided to drive into the countryside to burn the photographs.

During the journey, they stopped at a petrol station where fuel was obtained to burn the images. It was during the drive that Hennedige punched the victim in the face and caused further bruising to her body.

In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Mr George Joseph, the impact of the assault was outlined.

The victim said: "The first couple of weeks after the incident, [my daughter] was asking me what happened.

"My injury below my body, I made up stories to make sure she did not worry.

"She has also been very upset and concerned about him and why he was suddenly gone. I tried to explain to her without making her concerned.

"I’m still living with distress."

The court heard the victim had to take time off work and explain the incident to colleagues.

She did not return home for a week, and when she did, she said: "It didn’t feel like home.

"It feels like someone is watching me through the windows. I can’t eat or sleep properly.

"I’m too scared to go into the garden for a cigarette. I do not feel safe."

Mr Joseph told the court the offence fell within category 2B.

Mitigating on Hennedige’s behalf, Mr Harris said: "This was his first experience of custody, and I am instructed to note that the experience registered with him and has given him the need to sort out aspects of his life.

"The pre-sentence report shows previous good character."

At an earlier hearing on March 30, the defendant became visibly upset in court, accusing the victim of lying.

Addressing Hennedige during sentencing, Judge Bromige said: "It is definitely strange as she can't have been lying as you pleaded guilty to the assault, which she was telling us about."

In sentencing, the judge imposed a nine-month custodial sentence, which was suspended for 24 months.

A restraining order lasting 10 years was also imposed, prohibiting Hennedige from contacting the victim or her daughter.

No financial penalty was issued.