Man who savagely beat ex-partner then tried to get her to lie to police jailed

A man who carried out a “savage beating” on his ex-partner, then tried to get her to lie to the police has been jailed for five years.

James Cawkwell, 36, preyed upon the woman at her home in Edinburgh on June 30, 2024.

Cawkwell shouted and swore at her then uttered threats of violence.

He went on to struggle with the woman, seized her by the body and punched her on the head.

Cawkwell then repeatedly struck her on the head with a glass bottle, which caused her to fall to the ground and lose consciousness.

Cawkwell repeatedly punched and kicked the woman on the head and body while she was on the ground.

He pleaded guilty mid-trial to assaulting the woman to her severe injury.

The charge also says that Cawkwell met her in person and repeatedly phoned her in an attempt to try and get her to retract her statements given to police officers.

This was said to have been done so that Cawkwell would avoid prosecution and attempted to pervert the course of justice.

On Friday, Judge Lord Cubie stated at Cawkwell’s sentencing that it was a “savage beating of his partner and there were concocted attempts to change her story.”

The judge added: “This was a brutal and sustained assault carried out against a defenceless victim in her own home.

“It was thought that there was an attack on a dog when blows were seen to the ground. Witnesses saw numerous blows to the ground.

“You knocked her unconscious after following her outside. The blows were powerful and you punched her to the head and body while she was on the ground.

“This was a reprehensible assault and the hallmark of a bully.

“This was a nasty attack on an individual and a disproportionate retaliation attack. The injuries were severe.

“After beating her you tried to get her to lie to the police about what happened.

“Your background report also gives an element of victim-blaming.

“In her victim impact statement, the woman identifies that there were efforts to exercise control and try to make her depend on you.

“This was not a sudden loss of temper – you followed through with the threats made and knocked her unconscious, then continued to punch and kick her on the ground while she was unconscious.

“You attempted to get her to withdraw her complaint.”

The judge also imposed a 15-year non-harassment order, which prohibits Cawkwell’s contact with his victim in any way.

Stephanie Clinkscale, defending, earlier told the sentencing: “He is described in his background report as showing some insight and regret for his actions. Further support and work is required.”

It was also revealed that Cawkwell has two previous convictions, which have domestic aggravations.