Ex-soldier jailed for attack on lover (From Warrington Guardian)

Ex-soldier jailed for attack on lover

A FORMER soldier was jailed for two years and nine months at Chester Crown Court on Thursday for a "disgraceful and prolonged" assault on his lover.

Anthony Rowson, 47, of Hanley Close, Widnes, changed his plea to one of guilty after a jury had just been sworn in for his trial.

Simon Medland, prosecuting, said that the victim's two children, a boy of 16 and girl of 12, witnessed part of the incident.

Mr Medland said that in a sustained attack, Rowson assaulted his victim in his car and in her home.

He once opened the passenger car door as it was moving and invited her to jump out.

Mr Medland said that the victim had a badly bruised eye, sprained knee and extensive bruising to her arms and legs.

Rowson had previous convictions for violence.

Andrew Green, defending, said that there were two sides to Rowson's character and he had voluntarily looked after a disabled friend.

He had changed his plea to save the victim and her two children from giving evidence.

Judge Nicholas Woodward told Rowson: "You subjected your victim to a prolonged ordeal and assaulted her son in front of his sister. This was a very serious matter."