RAF man jailed for 'appalling' attacks on partner

Chris Cubitt, who had completed multiple tours with the air force including most recently to Iraq, blasted hot steam from an iron onto the woman’s backside, causing her pyjamas to melt, and a month later subjected her to a prolonged assault that left her with bruises all over her body.

Jailing the 32-year-old for 22 months, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: “At the age of 16 you joined the Royal Air Force and you have served in the RAF since that time, so half of your life has been dedicated to service of this country.

“I’ve read a letter from a sergeant that speaks extremely highly of you indeed, someone who knows you quite well and it is true you have given great service.

“During the course of that service you would have been subjected to some horrific scenes and you lost close friends and [saw] terrible injuries inflicted and I have no doubt at all that has had some bearing on the way you have behaved over the course of a number of months to your partner.

“But it cannot excuse that behaviour in any shape or form.”

He said the defendant thought it was ‘fun’ to aim a steam iron at his then girlfriend’s backside. The fact he had throttled her on a number of occasions – once pinning her to a wall – was ‘very concerning’, the judge said. He described a final assault, during which she’d been punched and kicked, as ‘completely unforgivable'.

Judge Pringle said: “I have considered very carefully the able submission of your learned counsel, but I would be failing in my duty if I were to pass anything other than an immediate prison sentence for behaviour of this appalling nature.”

Oxford Crown Court

Oxford Crown Court Picture: ED NIX

Prosecutor Christopher Pembridge told the court Cubitt and his victim got together in 2019. They’d moved from Hastings, Sussex, to Benson when the defendant was transferred by the RAF.

On November 28 last year, she was in the kitchen when he grabbed her by the throat. She was light-headed and had red marks on her neck.

Over the Christmas week he smashed a graduation photograph belonging to the woman and tried to push her down the stairs. On New Year’s Eve he again grabbed her by the throat, pushing her against a wall.

In February 2021, he was said to have been giggling as he came up behind her with a steam iron and fired steam at her backside. Her pyjamas melted, leaving her skin blistered.

The following month, on March 20, he’d been drinking while watching the rugby when he tossed the mattress on which she’d been lying then punched and kicked her. She managed to call 999. Cubitt messaged her later begging her not to go to the police.

Cubitt, of Mosquito Lane, Benson, admitted causing actual bodily harm, assault by beating and criminal damage at the magistrates’ court. He was convicted by the justices of ABH and battery. The court heard he had a previous conviction in 2015 for assaulting a partner.

Arthur Kendrick, mitigating, said his client had seen friends die during his most recent tour of Iraq and had sought mental health support. He had an impeccable service record and, if the judge imposed a community order, might be able to remain in the air force – allowing him to do unpaid work and pay compensation to his victim. He was remorseful.

A restraining order prevents him from contacting his victim for life.

Chris Cubitt's custody shot Picture: THAMES VALLEY POLICE

Chris Cubitt Picture: THAMES VALLEY POLICE

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