He went to the woman’s home and caused damage
A telltale “trail of blood” trapped an intimidating bully who went to a woman’s home on a nasty “revenge” mission in a determined bid to teach her a lesson. Mark Snowden intended to intimidate and harass her and his bad-tempered actions were prompted by long-running problems between them, Hull Crown Court heard.
Snowden, 38, of Belmont Street, east Hull, admitted two offences of causing criminal damage to a door and garden items on July 19. He denied an offence of attempted burglary and the prosecution dropped that charge.
Judge John Thackray KC said that Snowden went to the woman’s home in East Park Avenue, Hull, and damaged a door and items in her garden. “It was a revenge attack,” said Judge Thackray. “He was taking revenge because he wanted to intimidate her.
“It wasn’t about the damage, it was intimidation.” Judge Thackray told Snowden: “It was about you intimidating and harassing your victim. You left a trail of blood behind, which was how you were detected. “This is akin to a revenge attack. Your victim was concerned about someone coming to her property. She felt scared and emotional and she fears further offending. You have a long history of previous convictions.”
Ben Hammersley, mitigating, said that Snowden had been out of trouble since an offence in 2021. He went to the house to remonstrate with the woman’s partner.
Snowden was given a two-month suspended prison sentence and a three-month 9pm to 6am curfew. He was given a 10-year restraining order.
“Your risk can be managed in the community,” said Judge Thackray. “You have been out of trouble for a few years. This is a direct alternative to custody.”
In March 2022, Snowden was jailed for 21 months after he admitted assaulting his girlfriend, causing actual bodily harm, and assaulting her on December 23, 2021. The court heard that day that he feared that his girlfriend was cheating on him and viciously punched her and strangled her during a drunken attack.
Snowden angrily stamped on the woman as she curled up in a ball on the floor of her home to try to protect herself. He later spitefully boasted in a text message that she was so lucky that he did not do even worse to her, the court heard that day.
Snowden had been drinking heavily and he and the woman had been out to a Hull casino until the early hours.
They started arguing and he was refused further alcohol, causing him to lose his temper and hit a wall.
At her Hull home later, Snowden drank more alcohol and his girlfriend fell asleep in the living room. He asked the dozing woman questions and punched her straight in the mouth with a clenched fist and then twice more shortly afterwards while she was lying on a settee.
She was crying but he told her: “Don’t lie there crying.” Snowden accused her of cheating on him, which she denied, and she went upstairs to bed.
The woman woke at 5.40am in bed and checked her phone but Snowden ran upstairs and asked her: “Why were you online six minutes ago?”
He picked up cans of deodorant and a glass aftershave bottle in the bedroom and threw them towards her. A bottle hit her leg and he later threw a sound bar speaker at her.
Snowden dragged the woman from her bed head first, causing her to hit the floor, and told her: “Give me your f***ing phone now.” He knelt on her, preventing her moving, and put both hands around her throat, squeezing for about five seconds and causing her to struggle to breathe.
Snowden lifted her from the floor and threw her against a wardrobe. She curled up in a ball to protect herself.
He continued to punch her to the right side of her head and stamped on her.
He threw his cigarette at her, hitting her on the cheek below her eye but not causing an injury.
Snowden later texted the woman, saying that she was so lucky that he did not go further. She suffered significant bruising to her face and body.