Cumbria police say they are committed to supporting domestic violence victims and bringing offenders to justice after a Whitehaven man was jailed for further abuse against his ex-partner.
Kris Ritson, 33, lashed out at his former girlfriend twice in the same day on June 22. Weeks earlier, Ritson had been released on licence from prison having been locked up in January for a vicious assault on the same woman. This involved stamping, punching and putting a pillow over her face.
Following his release from custody, in early April, Ritson breached a restraining order which barred any contact with his ex.
And on June 22 he first pushed the woman inside her own home and threw away her glasses, causing them to break. Later that day, inside a Whitehaven pub, he pushed her to stop her leaving the premises.
Ritson, of the town’s Michael Street, admitted two assaults and also breaching the two-year restraining order.
In an impact statement read to Carlisle Crown Court, the woman described Ritson as controlling and very paranoid, saying: “Kris has ruined everything in my life and I wish I had never met him. I want to be left alone. I feel like he is not going to stop until I am dead.”
Speaking today, with Ritson starting a 15-month term behind bars, a Cumbria police spokesman said: “Domestic abuse in all its forms is a priority for Cumbria Constabulary and we take a proactive approach to investigating incidents which are reported to us.
“Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can feel reassured that all reports will be dealt with sensitively and professionally.
“Our officers are committed to tackling all types of domestic abuse, prosecuting those responsible and working with partner agencies to support victims and survivors.”
