These were Philip Steven Goguelin’s third and fourth grave and criminal assaults against a woman in the space of three years.

After being convicted of the attacks at trial, he was sentenced yesterday by the Royal Court’s Superior Number – a panel of jurats that only sits for the most serious cases. 

Crown Advocate Christina Hall, prosecuting, explained that the first attack took place one evening in August 2020, when Goguelin was drinking with Ms A. When she decided she wanted to leave, Goguelin began arguing before grabbing her by the chin and banging her head against the wall. 

He then punched her three times in the stomach, and asked if she “could take another.”

Whilst on the floor, he continued to punch her. The attack lasted around five minutes until Ms A – who was left with more than 20 cuts and bruises – was able to escape. 

She called the Police to report the assault the following morning. 

Goguelin, who was represented by Advocate Julian Gollop, was arrested and released on bail, but failed to attend the Police station when required. 

When finally interviewed, he denied the attack and said the woman was not being truthful and was “out to get him.” Goguelin further suggested that Ms A might be colluding with Ms B, the victim of his second assault in September 2020.

Ms B told Court that she initially thought Goguelin was a “funny, thoughtful and caring” person, but learnt that his “mood would change when he drank.” She said he would be “aggressive and overbearing” when he was drunk.  

She said that she had previously attended hospital after he threw her down some stairs and bit her. 

The charge for which Goguelin was appearing in the Royal Court came one morning when, “in fear of his aggression”, Ms B tried to flee the flat they were in.

Goguelin blocked her way, pushed, pulled, threw and grabbed her. The Court heard that, “as he became angrier… he picked up a knife from the draining board and she received a small cut to her right forearm when she was defending herself.”

During the assault, he also bit Ms B’s face, which was left swollen and severely bruised.

After distracting him, Ms B, who suffered severe swelling and bruising on her was eventually able to flee to the house of a friend, who called the police.

He was arrested and taken to Police headquarters for an interview, to which he only gave “no comment” answers.

He denied both charges, but was found ‘guilty’ by a jury following a trial in April.

Commissioner Sir William Bailhache, who was sitting with Jurats Anthony Olsen, Jerry Ramsden and Steven Austin-Vautier, handed down a punishment of 18 months imprisonment for the assault on Ms A, and three-and-a-half years for the attack on Ms B.  

The Court ruled that these sentences should run concurrently, making a total of five years’ imprisonment. 

It also imposed a five-year restraining order in respect of both of Goguelin’s victims.