Crowborough Man Jailed For Assaulting And Abusing Woman

A man has been jailed after assaulting and abusing a woman at an address in Crowborough over a period of more than a year.

Between April 2024 and May 2025, the victim – a woman in her 60s – was attacked on several occasions by 64-year-old Ashley Gaunt, of Poplar Crescent in West Ewell.

The violence began in April 2024, when Gaunt repeatedly punched the victim and subjected her to verbal abuse.

The final incident took place on 12 May 2025, when Gaunt approached the woman, made threats to kill her, dragged her by her hair and attempted to smother her.

The victim managed to escape and report the attack to police.

Officers located Gaunt the same day and arrested him. He was later released on conditional bail while investigations continued, with charges authorised in December.

On 10 December 2025, Gaunt appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court charged with five counts of assault, one count of intentional suffocation and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was bailed ahead of sentencing.

At Lewes Crown Court on 11 February, Gaunt was sentenced to three years in prison and handed a 10-year restraining order.

PC Tobie Whitten, who led the investigation, said Gaunt had left the victim living in fear, particularly at night.

He praised the victim for coming forward, saying her bravery led to Gaunt admitting his crimes and being jailed.

The officer added that women and girls should never experience physical, emotional or psychological harm, and encouraged anyone affected by domestic abuse to contact police for help, saying officers are there to listen and take action.