A VIOLENT prisoner with a history of abuse against women has been given another jail term and an unprecedented five year anti-social behaviour order.
Paul Biddle appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday (October 15) where he pleaded guilty to harassment and common assault of an ex-partner.
The 32-year-old is currently serving a four year sentence at HMP Hewell in Redditch for GBH of an ex-partner when he broke her jaw in 2007.
Last year prison officers became aware he was harassing another ex by phone by insulting her, encouraging her to commit suicide and threatening to assault her, and even kill her, when he was released.
Between October 29 and December 10, the Prison Service recorded Biddle made more than 500 calls to the same woman.
The court heard Biddle then assaulted her during a visit to HMP Hewell.
She was seen by prison officers to hold out her hands when instructed to do so and Biddle pushed his thumbnail into her finger so hard it made it bleed. He claimed she had cut it on a drinks can.
The Prison Service raised the case with West Mercia Police who launched an investigation and charged Biddle with harassment and common assault.
Appearing before Judge Patrick Thomas QC, he was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for the offences, which included three months for the assault, to run concurrently.
He also gave Biddle a five-year order that prohibits him ‘from abusing or threatening any woman physically or verbally’.
In his summing up, he said: “I have not seen a history as violent as yours for many years. You do not seem to understand that your behaviour is intimidating and that you are a coward, more importantly a bully.
“I direct that any court that should deal with you in the future, for any breaches, must ensure that you serve a full term in custody.”
Det Con Joanne Sanders of the South Worcestershire Domestic Abuse Team, who investigated the case, said Biddle would be closely monitored when he left prison.
“The step taken by Judge Thomas to give Biddle a prison term linked to such a strong Crasbo is unprecedented.
“It reflects the level of domestic abuse and violence Biddle hands out to women, who he treats with contempt. He is very controlling: during the calls from prison he repeatedly told his victim: ‘If I didn’t love you I would not tell you these things.’
“I hope this tough order from the Judge will help protect women from Biddle.
“I would like to thank the staff at HMP Hewell for bringing this case to our attention, providing evidence that led Biddle to plead guilty and helping to protect his victim from further abuse.”
