Teenage victim of former boyfriend's 'nasty attack' in Cleethorpes speaks out

THE teenage victim of a "nasty attack" at the hands of her former boyfriend is urging others not to suffer in silence.

Amy Jones, 17, has waived her right to anonymity to let others know that help is available.

James Peter Butler, 22, admitted assaulting Amy, causing actual bodily harm, in Cleethorpes on November 26. It happened after an argument between them, and Butler became "out of control", a court heard.

Because of Amy's age, an order was placed banning the publication of her identity.

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But she and her family were so keen to tell her story, that district judge Daniel Curtis lifted it.

She said: "I am giving up my right to anonymity because I want other people to know they can come forward, that they should contact police straight away and not be scared.

"I am thankful for him admitting this and not dragging it through the system. I feel like justice has been served because the district judge portrayed how serious it was."

Amy said the pair were together for four years, living in Tiverton Street for 18 months.

It was there Butler turned on her. "Nothing led to it," she explained, "it just happened because he'd had a bad day."

Grimsby Magistrates' Court heard how Butler, of Ludney, near Conisholme, grabbed Amy's wrists, throat, neck and hair as the argument developed. Strands of hair fell out.

"It was quite a nasty, violent attack," said Brendan Woodward, prosecuting. "He was out of control."

Nick Furman, mitigating, said Butler had no previous convictions and admitted he had been heartless and selfish. He wanted to put the incident behind him and there had been no further contact between them.

He accepted there was no future for them and his behaviour was entirely inappropriate, said Mr Furman.

District judge Daniel Curtis branded the attack "extremely unpleasant" and "violent" and said it had caused Amy considerable distress.

Unemployed Butler was given an 18-month supervision order and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a Government-imposed £60 victims' surcharge.

Amy, who is with her family in North Somercotes, said: "I do think he is resentful. I blamed myself, but I realised I wasn't in the wrong."

Her mum, Sarah, added: "I am upset that my daughter has had to go through this, but I am happy she is home and now I can sleep at night."