Hampshire boxer spat in woman's face and tried to rape her

Hampshire man Darren Hendry attacked the woman in December last year in a "long and protracted" assault, leaving her covered in bruises, Southampton Crown Court heard. 

The 35-year-old boxer spat in her face before stopping her from leaving and attempting to rape her, using his teeth "as a weapon". 

He then strangled the woman, who cannot be named, before she was able to escape, the court was told on Friday.

Prosecutor Rob Welling said the victim had to go to hospital after the incident to be checked over. 

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The attack took place while Hendry was on bail with conditions not to contact his victim. 

Darren Hendry (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

In a statement read out at his sentencing on Friday, the woman said she has been left with anxiety and depression after the incident and has undergone therapy. 

"I have lost weight due to the amount of anxiety I have felt.

"My confidence has been completely destroyed and it has taken a long time to get it back.

"What has happened to me haunts me most of my waking moments. I will never be able to change that."

Hendry, of Denmark Street, Aldershot had pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, attempted rape, and intentional strangulation, but was convicted by a jury.

He had pleaded guilty to harassment and causing criminal damage to her phone on the opening day of his trial at Winchester Crown Court. 

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Janice Brennan, mitigating said her client "does now recognise the harm that he has caused".

She added: "Only time will show if that is the case. I do invite you to take his words as genuine that he does not recognise the harm that he has done and the wrong way he has regarded woman.

"You have seen from one of the letters provided that he has helped in the past to get vulnerable young people off the streets and into boxing.

"He is deeply ashamed of himself and rightly so."

But Judge Peter Henry said he was "unable to accept the remorse", telling Hendry: "I have no doubt that you pose a significant risk of imposing serious harm to women". 

He was jailed for seven years with an extended licence period of five years. 

Hendry was also given a restraining order banning him from contacting his victim for ten years.