Thug who left girlfriend in hospital after meat cleaver attack loses appeal against sentence

[dutchman]

Jason Smith is serving a ten-year prison sentence



The Coventry thug who attacked his then-girlfriend with a meat cleaver and a knife has lost an appeal against his prison sentence.

Zoe Dronfield suffered numerous injuries, including bleeding to the brain, during the attack by Jason Darren Smith and spent a number of weeks in hospital.

Smith, 34, was jailed for ten years in March 2015 after being found unanimously guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was condemned as a dangerous offender and ordered to serve an extra four years on licence following his release.

London’s Appeal Court heard that Smith had been in a relationship with Miss Dronfield for “some time” before they separated in 2014.

The court heard that on January 25 that year, Smith went to her home and damaged the door, but a week later - on February 2 - they met for a meal and drinks.

When they went back to her home, he demanded money before launching the “unprovoked, savage attack”.

The judge who jailed him in March 2015 at Warwick Crown Court described his crime as an ‘unprovoked, savage attack on a vulnerable woman’.

Smith, who had a previous conviction for harassment, argued the judge was wrong to label him dangerous and his jail term was far too tough.

But Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC said that the trial judge had the opportunity to observe Smith during the trial and was “justified” in considering him a danger to society.

The sentence was upheld.

Smith also lost an appeal against his conviction in January last year Smith. He had claimed the conviction was unsafe because Miss Dronfield - who now campaigns for domestic abuse victims’ rights - had undergone hypnosis before giving evidence.

[rebbonk]

This was a frivolous appeal, he ought have had 2 years added to his sentence.

[dutchman]

Domestic abuse victim was not told her attacker had appealed his prison sentence



A woman left with bleeding on the brain after being attacked by her ex-boyfriend had no idea he had tried to get his sentence shortened.

She told the Telegraph: “I had no idea he had lodged another appeal.

“I find utterly astounding that I was not informed by victim support especially considering the level of violence.

“If he had been successful, I could very easily be in serious danger.”

Reacting to the Appeal Court’s decision, Miss Dronfield said: “He clearly still has no remorse and shows zero empathy for what he did to me and the aftermath that followed which affected my whole family.

“I am, however, very thankful to the appeal judge who clearly realised that Jason is dangerous.

“He is a serial offender and this is why I am still calling for the serial stalkers’ register.”