Benjamin Ypma, 42, of Willows Close, Columbia, Washington, has been jailed for 27 months after strangling and beating his partner in two separate assaults. The attacks occurred after he lost his temper when Barcelona scored against Newcastle during a Champions League match.
Attack During Football Match
On September 18 last year, the victim was at Ypma's home watching Newcastle's Champions League match against Barcelona. Prosecutor Gurjot Kaur told Newcastle Crown Court that Ypma had been "surprisingly calm" despite an earlier argument, but his temper changed when Barcelona scored, and he became verbally abusive.
When the woman decided to leave, Ypma grabbed her by the neck with both hands, restricting her breathing. Her earring snapped as it dug into her neck. He slammed her to the floor and hit her in the face with his shoe and fist, causing her lip to bleed. After about an hour, she called a taxi and went to her mother's home.
Second Assault and Escape
The following day, Ypma went to the woman's home, kicked the door, and shouted for her to open it. After being refused entry, he returned hours later and beeped his car horn. She eventually went back to his home to help him find his phone and bank card. When he found his bed was wet, he blamed her and attacked her again.
He grabbed her ponytail, swung her around, and caused her to fall. He dug his knee into her ribs and punched her in the face. She escaped by jumping out of a window, sustaining numerous injuries to her face, arms, neck, and body, including a fractured eye socket.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Ypma, who has no previous convictions but has cautions for battery, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and strangulation. He was jailed for 27 months and given a restraining order. His defence lawyer, Nick Lane, said the relationship had been positive for much of the time but that Ypma's behaviour was "entirely inappropriate" towards the end. Lane added: "He would wish for me to publicly apologise on his behalf. He hopes, in time, the pain his behaviour caused will heal as the physical injuries have healed. He hopes she can move on and rebuild her life."
Lane noted that Ypma had been drinking heavily after a workplace accident led to the amputation of his leg and left him unable to work. He said: "He knows custody is a very real risk and it terrifies him. Prison would be more difficult for him than the average population because of his disability and it would also mean he would lose his adapted accommodation. He wants to prove he is the man he once was and can be again and make up for the harm he has caused."
