October 2026

David Thompson jailed for brutal attack on former partner

A chef who threatened to chop off his former partner’s head before kicking, stamping on and attacking her with a glass vase has been jailed.

David Thompson, 49, filmed the attack on his phone as the woman screamed for help and begged him to stop.

York Crown Court heard that Thompson burst into his ex-partner’s flat in Harrogate in June 2024, a year after their relationship had ended.

He threatened her, saying it was a good job he had not brought his cleaver or he would chop her head off. He then kicked her in the head with full force and stamped on her, the court heard.

Thompson dragged her to the floor and smashed a glass vase over her head while she was curled up in a ball. He also struck her with a stereo unit.

Neighbours heard screams and loud crashing and called police. Footage played in court captured the victim pleading for help and repeatedly asking Thompson to stop.

The woman suffered extensive bruising and cuts from broken glass. She said she had closed her eyes because she believed she was about to die, and described severe anxiety and depression afterwards and being unable to work.

When police arrested Thompson, he had blood on his shorts and trainers and had been drinking. The court heard that he initially claimed he had acted in self-defence and said he “should have killed her”.

Thompson, of The Square, Hillam, admitted attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm. 

Thompson had a previous conviction from 2016 for battering another former partner. He was jailed for three years and eight months and given a 10-year restraining order banning him from contacting the victim.