Derbyshire mum brands violent ex’s suspended jail term “disgraceful”

Gina Lambert’s former partner Ashley Collingwood-Hook was given a suspended prison sentence this week after a “sustained attack” on her which left her “seeing flashes”.

In a violent frenzy “heavy” cannabis smoker Collingwood-Hook delivered a volley of punches to Gina’s head and “clawed her face” - leaving her with bruises and cuts.

Unbelievably, Gina, of South Normanton, was crouched in-between her sofa and the wall of her living room shielding the couple’s nine-month-old son Noah at the time.

The Christmas Eve assault - which has left former dental nurse Gina “frightened to go out” was sparked by an argument about where their son should spend Christmas Day.

Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard how jobless Collingwood-Hook tried unsuccessfully to “grab” Noah fearing he would not be allowed to see him again - then started throwing punches.

Speaking about the barrage of blows Gina said: “He hit me that many times I didn’t even feel it - I was seeing white flashes go across my eyes every time he hit me. It was horrendous.”

As she fled the house with Noah, Collingwood-Hook then followed her to a neighbour’s house - where he kicked the front door off its hinges into the living room.

A Chesterfield magistrate suspended his 18-week jail term for 18 months and imposed a two-year restraining order not to contact Gina or Noah, adding: “This is the last chance saloon.”

But Gina, 37, - who now suffers with post-traumatic stress disorder - described his latest sentence as “disgraceful”.

She said: “It doesn’t matter where I go in South Normanton - although I’ve lived here all my life and this is my hometown - I'm going to feel like I’m constantly looking over my shoulder.”

Earlier in the hearing the court heard how police had been called out to deal with domestic incidents involving Collingwood-Hook on nine previous occasions.

In 2018 Gina - pregnant at the time - locked herself in the toilets at Alfreton Railway Station while thug Collingwood-Hook stood outside shouting.

He was fined for the threatening public display - which erupted when he accused Gina of speaking to other men.

However she described how, living with the 26-year-old, - who was “kind” and “caring” for the first nine months of the relationship - “everything was my fault”.

She said: “It didn’t matter whether he owed people money or whatever - it was always my fault.”

Student Gina - who is now tormented by nightmares where Collingwood-Hook is “crouching” under her window watching her - said: “A suspended sentence is not a punishment in my eyes - all they have to do is keep their nose clean or not get caught.

“When I found out I just felt sick to my stomach. I was sure that with his past record...but he’s safe to walk the streets again laughing his head off thinking he’s won again.

“He could come and find me and finish the job off - how is that justice?

“A proper proactive approach needs to be taken to make sure these people are punished and send the clear message that it’s not Ok to do what you want.”

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