Victim of 'deplorable' abusive ex-youth footballer who broke her ankle is hailed for her bravery
An abusive former youth football star who broke his girlfriend's ankle has been branded "deplorable", while his victim's bravery was commended.
David Arrowsmith, who is 6ft 4in, grabbed his 5ft 2in victim around the throat in drunken fury in Telford, before falling on top of her and snapping her ankle.
The ex-Nottingham Forest youth player then bizarrely tried to force it back into place.
He was jailed for 18 months last week.
Detective Constable Tom Lauder welcomed the sentence and encouraged domestic violence victims, or anyone who knows someone who might be a victim, to come forward.
He said: “David Arrowsmith’s actions were deplorable and we are pleased that justice has been done. Although he pleaded guilty at a late stage, a lot of work had gone into securing a conviction in this case and I commend the bravery of his victim throughout the investigation and proceedings.
“If anyone reading this is a victim of domestic abuse, knows someone who is or has been affected by domestic abuse or violence, we can support you. Do not suffer in silence, you are not alone. As well as support from our officers we can put you in touch with other organisations that understand your specific needs.”
Shrewsbury Crown Court was told how Arrowsmith, of Marsh Lane, Wolverhampton, and the victim were in a relationship for just over a year from November 2021 to January this year.
After a number of abusive episodes, Arrowsmith's anger reached boiling point on December 29 last year when the couple had a night out in Telford. He "shoved her around the apartment" and grabbed her around the neck before falling on top of her with his full weight on her ankle.
"Her ankle was at a 90 degree angle and he tried to shove it back into position," prosecutor Suzanne Francis told the court.
An ambulance was called but there wasn't one available due to demands on the service, so she had to be taken to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford in a taxi.
She had an operation under general anaesthetic, with a second surgery scheduled for January 7 this year.
Even with her leg in a cast, that wasn't enough to stop Arrowsmith's behaviour. On January 3, he became violent and pushed the victim - an incident which she described as "more traumatic" than breaking her ankle, due to how vulnerable she felt.
After that incident he continually messaged her, threatening to kill himself if she got into a relationship with another man.
"She felt petrified of what he would do and felt she had to phone the police," Ms Francis said.
Arrowsmith sent the victim emails saying "stop making me out to be a psycho," and "I know what I did but you can't take away the man I really was".
A video clip taken by one of the victim's neighbours on April 27 this year was played to the court, showing Arrowsmith push her so hard she flew out of shot.
On May 19, he turned up at her home. Her friends arrived and saw the victim was in distress. Arrowsmith stormed out, punching and smashing a window on his way, causing a "serious" laceration to his hand. He admitted causing criminal damage and was given a caution.
While out on bail in June, he made multiple phone calls to the victim, one of which was played to the court.
In a tearful rant he shouted: "I love you and you hate me. I don't want to be here. I did everything I can. I want to die."
The victim told how she was too scared to end the relationship and call the police, and how the ordeal has left her with anxiety.
Arrowsmith admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and intimidating a witness. He has previously been convicted for drink driving and driving without due care and attention.
The 27-year-old suffered the disappointment of a promising football career ending early due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which meant he lost the chance to do a scholarship in America, his barrister Kevin Jones told the court.
Recorder Adrian Reynolds told Arrowsmith: "You attacked her by putting your hands around her neck. That is something men are routinely doing to women in a domestic context and it has to stop.
"You fell on top of her and broke her ankle. That may have been an accident and not what you intended, but you are absolutely 100 per cent culpable for that injury."
As well as the jail sentence, Arrowsmith was made subject of a restraining order, banning him from contacting the victim for five years.
