Builder jailed for ‘horrific’ attack on Portslade woman leaving her …
A builder has been jailed for multiple offences after he fled the scene of a crash and later left a Portslade[1] woman with "significant facial injuries" on the same day in two separate incidents. Lee Norris, 51, of Buckhurst Avenue in Carshalton, Sutton, has been sentenced to six and a half years behind bars after pleading guilty to six offences, including intentional strangulation and making threats to kill.
Norris was initially being searched for by police after he fled the scene of a crash with another vehicle on November 8, 2022. A member of the public reported the crash soon after it happened and the driver was swiftly identified as Norris from video footage of the incident.
After identifying Norris, Sussex Police[2] was able to trace him the same day to a property in Portslade where a distressed woman with "significant facial injuries" was found. The woman, who was in pain and afraid, had suffered a "sustained violent assault" by Norris, who had strangled her and threatened to kill her if she reported him to the police.
On entering the property, police found Norris inside with "blood on his hands". He was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm, making threats to kill, failing to stop after a road accident and driving without insurance.
Later on, Norris was also arrested for intentional strangulation and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was charged for the six offences and pleaded guilty to these at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on November 10, 2022, and was remanded in custody.
Last month (June 19), Norris was sentenced to four years and six months behind bars at Chichester Crown Court. The court also said he will have to spend two years on extended licence as he is considered to be "dangerous".
Norris has also been given a restraining order for six years and has been disqualified from driving for 63 months. Detective Sergeant Jenny Pietersen, of Brighton and Hove’s Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said: “Lee Norris subjected his victim to a horrific assault and tried to escape punishment for his crimes by attempting to manipulate and intimidate her from prison. This was dealt with swiftly and robustly.
“He has now faced justice thanks to the bravery of his victim, the swift work of our officers responding to the initial emergency call and the diligent investigation that followed. Domestic abuse can range from subtle behaviours which can escalate to serious violence or psychological control.
"No-one should feel that they have to tolerate domestic abuse. If you or anyone you know think you are being subjected to domestic abuse, please report it to the police – we and our partners will safeguard you and bring you the justice you deserve.”
References
- ^ Portslade (www.sussexlive.co.uk)
- ^ Sussex Police (www.sussexlive.co.uk)
- ^ Part of 'Sussex's best beach' cordoned off for 'controlled explosion' after ordnance found (www.sussexlive.co.uk)