A York court has heard harrowing details of a violent campaign of abuse where a man high on crack-cocaine threatened his former partner with a knife and brutally assaulted her, leaving her with severe injuries including a broken nose and collapsed lung.
Paranoid Rage Unleashed After Smoking Crack
Matthew John Ambler, 36, of no fixed address, launched into a paranoid episode after smoking six pipes of crack-cocaine on August 13, 2025. Prosecutors told York Crown Court that Ambler hurled accusations at his partner before the situation escalated dangerously.
When the victim attempted to leave the flat, Ambler pushed her onto a sofa and produced a Swiss Army knife, extending the blade. He gestured with the weapon, telling her he would use it to cut himself, in a terrifying display of aggression.
"He Will Kill": Victim's Urgent Warning to Court
The brave survivor, who has not been named, issued a stark warning through a statement read in court. "I thought Matthew was a decent man. He turned out to be anything but," she said, according to the York Press.
She expressed grave fears for future victims, stating: "I am afraid if I don't make a stand against him, he will use violence against me and other women." The victim explicitly warned that Ambler "will kill" if placed in a similar situation again.
Sustained Brutality and Life-Threatening Injuries
Prosecutor Brooke Morrison detailed how Ambler punched the victim, straddled her with both legs, and grabbed her throat until she could not breathe. After releasing his grip, he returned to punch her repeatedly in the face and head.
As she tried to escape, Ambler "began throwing her around" in a violent frenzy. The assault only paused when the victim insisted on going to hospital, but resumed once they returned to their shared accommodation.
The court heard the victim sustained devastating injuries including:
- A nose broken in several places
- A partially collapsed lung
- A fractured rib
- Significant head injuries
Morrison described how Ambler left his victim "distressed, crying and with blood on her face and neck" during one particularly brutal incident.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Ambler pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, threatening with a blade, and non-fatal strangulation. Judge Tim Clayson sentenced him to three years and seven months imprisonment.
The judge also imposed a five-year restraining order banning Ambler from contacting his former partner. During sentencing, Judge Clayson addressed Ambler directly about his substance abuse issues: "You well know you must get off drug taking if you are going to have a chance of a decent life."
The court heard that Ambler acknowledged having a temper exacerbated by drug and alcohol habits, which he claims to have since addressed.
This case highlights the devastating intersection of substance abuse and domestic violence, with the victim's courageous testimony serving as a warning about the potential for escalation in such dangerous relationships.
