Family Solicitors

A man referred to in court as a “serious serial offender” against women has been jailed after magistrates had previously given him a chance to reform.

Samuel Spencer Cairns, 29, from Daniel Close in Keighley, near Bradford in West Yorkshire, headbutted a woman holding a child – and smashed another partner's head repeatedly against a skirting board.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Spencer Cairns was in breach of court orders banning him from contact with his two victims when he committed the offences.

Local publisher the Telegraph & Argus reports that in one incident on Christmas Eve 2013, Spencer Cairns hit his partner with the blunt end of a kitchen knife. He then grabbed hold of her and held the weapon to her throat.

Later he returned to her home and smashed a window with a metal bar.

Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court decided to give him a second chance and sentenced him to a community order on 3 March, 2014. A restraining order was also made, barring Spencer Cairns from contacting his victim.

However, less than a month later, Spencer Cairns headbutted the woman in his flat while she was holding a child and magistrates handed him a suspended prison sentence.

On 3 January this year, Spencer Cairns assaulted his new partner – a woman aged 30 who was just five feet tall and was a recovering alcoholic – by hitting her with a bottle. He also punched her in the face while she was pregnant with his child, the court heard.

On that occasion she did not wish to take legal action against him – but called the police on 24 January after Spencer Cairns attacked her again. However, he visited her home again in breach of a Domestic Violence Protection Order, which banned him from having any contact with her.

The woman let him into her home – and during an argument Spencer Cairns smashed her head repeatedly against the skirting board and put his hands round her throat in a sustained assault, the court was told.

The woman is now receiving professional help, after suffering panic attacks and anxiety that Spencer Cairns might return to her home.

At Bradford Crown Court, Spencer Cairns pleaded guilty to two offences of common assault against one woman – and two counts of causing another woman actual bodily harm.

The court was told that although Spencer Cairns had previously appeared before magistrates, he had never served a term in jail.

Judge Mark Savill told the court that Spencer Cairns had repeatedly ignored court warnings to keep away from the women.

Spencer Cairns was jailed for three years and five months for “serious serial offending against women”.

Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors

Duncan Lewis domestic violence solicitors can advise victims of domestic violence on their rights under the law – including advising on non-molestation orders and occupation orders.

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid lawyers and advises on family law under UK law and Islamic law.

For expert legal advice on domestic violence, call the Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Helpline on 07920 077054.