A 36-year-old man has been jailed for twenty-seven-years with an extended license period of five years at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Tuesday 3 June) for attempted murder.

Paul John Watts of Cinderford Close in Paulsgrove was found guilty at his trial on Thursday 27 March after he seriously injured a woman in Paulsgrove last year.

We were called to Cinderford Close on Thursday 31 October shortly after 3:10pm following an incident where concerns were raised for a 37-year-old woman.

She was taken to Southampton General Hospital with serious, potentially life-threatening, injuries. Earlier this year she was discharged from hospital as her recovery continues. She has no memory of the assault.

During sentencing the Judge remarked on the life-threatening injuries that the victim was subjected to. Watts was told that he left her bleeding and unconscious. The Judge stated “You left her for dead”.

During the sentencing hearing the court was read statement’s from the victim and her family members. The victim’s sister noted: “She will never be the same again because of what Paul did that day, but with support from family and friends, her and her children will find their new normal. I have no doubt in my mind about how far she has come, the strength and courage she has shown throughout and that she will continue to progress and will not let what happened that day define her. My sister is my inspiration and someone I will always look up to”.

Senior Investigating Officer Elizabeth Brunt said: “The victim’s injuries in this case were shocking, her recovery has been exceptional given the trauma that she endured. Thankfully she has no memory of what happened last October. Watts’ subjected the victim to violence that nobody should have to face and I’m pleased that this sentence underlines the gravity of what he did.

“I’d like to thank the investigators who have helped us to build this case, the officers that attended and provided immediate help to the victim, and the victim and her family themselves for helping us to secure justice and ensuring that Watts cannot subject anyone to violence like this in our communities. During the sentencing the Judge commended the actions of PC Phelan, PC Reynolds, and DC Harnett. It was noted that  PC Phelan’s actions were exemplary and gave the victim the best chance of surviving the incident”.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary make it clear that nobody – whether that be a woman, a man or a child – should ever be subjected to domestic abuse within an environment that they perceive to be a safe space.

We understand that it is not always easy to report incidents of this nature to us, especially when you have to re-live any trauma faced at the hands of an abuser, however we encourage victims to come forward and report incidents to us.

We are absolutely clear that we do not tolerate any form of domestic abuse or violence at all. Individuals who are intending to behave in this way and commit these offences will be found and will be stopped.

If you are being abused, or you know someone that is, please call 101 and report it to police, or make a report online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website. If it is an emergency, dial 999 immediately.

You can find out more details about how to report domestic abuse via our website, below; https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/how-to-report-domestic-abuse/