Woman assaulted with Xbox controller

Friday 13 December 2019

A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, after throwing an Xbox controller at a woman, breaking her tooth and leaving her with ongoing dental problems.

Chris Goulding was arrested in August last year when the victim reported the assault, which happened in 2015, to Guernsey Police.

Miss A said she had been out celebrating her birthday in Town with some friends before heading back to her home, where she claims she was "more than surprised" to find the defendant.

Prosecution Advocate Jenny McVeigh explained how Miss A had asked Goulding, who was noticeably drunk, to leave.

She sat down and, when she turned to look at him, something hit her in the face causing her to bleed "profusely".

Pictured: The defendant has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

In his interview with Guernsey Police, Goulding recalled throwing an Xbox controller, but said he "never meant to throw it at her". He knew she had been injured and said he quickly apologised.

However, Miss A claims the defendant then locked the door, took her phone and told her she could not leave, although this was disputed by Goulding.

The following morning, when the complainant had got her phone back, she sent a picture of her injured face to a friend, who offered to take her to the hospital. She refused, telling her friend that Goulding would "kick off" if she sought help.

Miss A went into work wearing a big scarf to hide the damage but, later on that day, decided the pain was too much to manage and visited a dentist. She was told she would need emergency treatment, which she would have to replace with an implant or a bridge in the future. However, because of lacerations to her lips and mouth, Miss A found it too painful to open her mouth and the treatment had to be delayed.

Although she did later have some temporary treatment, the victim's injury became infected and it had to be removed. She referred to the missing tooth and scar on her lip as a "reminder of the pain" Goulding caused her, and said it made her feel self-conscious when speaking to people.

Pictured: The defendant was sentenced in Guernsey's Royal Court.

In mitigation, defence Advocate Andrew Ayres explained how Goulding had felt "unable to work" since his arrest last year. "He's always been in full time employment and this has weighed heavily on him," he said.

Advocate Ayres said the defendant had "expressed remorse" since the incident and, despite having previous convictions, had not been before the court for many years. He noted that Goulding has a "problem with alcohol", but said the assault was "a reckless one rather than an International one".

Sentencing Goulding, Deputy Bailiff Richard McMahon said the assault had to be taken very seriously: "We are fortunate that incidents of violence in this island are less prevalent than in neighbouring jurisdictions. We take the view that causing injury to a person's face, where the consequences are visible, is very serious. We treat hurling a solid object at someone the same as holding and using a weapon.

"No one should feel unsafe in their own home."

Mr McMahon told the defendant he had made a "poor decision not to seek gainful employment" since being arrested and that his "relationship with alcohol remains troubling".

"This count must send a strong message that this unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated," he continued.

Goulding was sentenced to 18 months in prison and will have to pay £3,470 in compensation to cover Miss A's future dental costs.

Pictured top: The Royal Court House.