Crime
Former professional footballer from Wisbech jailed for brutal assault
A former professional footballer who subjected his partner to a brutal, six-hour attack has been jailed for more than six years.
Daniel Holyoak, 39, of Wisbech, punched the victim numerous times, stamped all over her body and dragged her around by her hair.
He repeatedly slammed a door into her after returning home from a 10-day cocaine and alcohol binge.
It left her covered in bruises, with a missing front tooth, a swollen eye and shoe imprints all over her body.
The police were alerted to the attack on 12 July 2021, when the victim went to an ambulance station for help.
Police arrested Holyoak the following day at their home in Ramnoth Road, Wisbech, where the incident took place.
However, while on remand, Holyoak contacted the victim several times in a bid to get her to drop the charges.
At Cambridge Crown Court on 20 April, Holyoak was sentenced to six years and two months in prison after he pleaded guilty of grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.
DC Tom Adams said: “Putting the victim through such a terrifying and violent ordeal was completely inexcusable and I am pleased Holyoak has been brought to justice.
Daniel Holyoak, 39, punched the victim numerous times, stamped all over her body, dragged her around by her hair and repeatedly slammed a door into her
“We will continue to work tirelessly to protect victims of domestic abuse and take action against offenders.”
Holyoak – a former professional footballer for Mansfield Town – played football for Stamford, Deeping Rangers, Bourne Town and one time captain at Spalding United
He has a previous conviction for assault.
He appeared before Lincoln Crown Court eight years ago after twice breaking a non-molestation order which prevented him from approaching his ex-wife after their relationship broke down.
On the first occasion Holyoak caused bruising to his former wife’s leg when he kicked her as she collected the couple’s two children from school, Lincoln Crown Court hear
He admitted three charges of assault, two charges of breaking a court order and a single charge of criminal damage.
