Man on trial for alleged assault and false imprisonment in Northwood

Harrow Crown Court heard that Ms Richardson, 45, had been in a 'volatile' relationship with Heward, lasting about two and a half years, before the couple split.

A restraining order was imposed on Heward, of Lundin Walk, Watford, preventing him from contacting Ms Richardson from October last year until October 2012.

But Jonathan Chibafa, prosecuting, told jurors that the pair had made contact and for a few days at least, were living together in Northwood.

On the evening of the alleged offences, police were called to Ms Richardson's home by her friend, Robert Jamieson, who expressed concerns for her well being.

The court heard how Mr Jamieson called Ms Richardson on her mobile phone, and she told him she was being held captive by Heward.

She told him that Heward had gone out to get alcohol and when he returned, he started hitting her.

When she made the phonecall, from the kitchen, she said Heward was drunk and had fallen asleep in the lounge.

She was reluctant to call the police so Mr Jamieson obliged.

When police arrived at the property, Ms Richardson told them she couldn't open the door as Heward would not give her the keys.

After several attempts, officers broke the door down and arrested Heward, who has numerous tattoos including a dolphin inked on his right cheek.

Mr Chibafa told the jury: "It's right to say that Ms Richardson suffers from a number of conditions including epilepsy, which causes seizures and falls.

"She maintains there were a number of old injuries on her body, including from when she suffered a fall in October last year.

"When she was examined by doctors, she complained about being kicked and poked hard in the back, and being hit on the shoulder.

"She had bruising to her shoulder and back and her coccyx (tailbone) was also injured."

Police also searched the property and found a notepad in which Ms Richardson had recorded what had happened.

Ms Richardson was due to give evidence this afternoon.

The trial is scheduled to last one and a half days, before the jury retires to consider its verdict.

Return to this website for more information as the trial continues.