WOOLWICH — A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison after a violent assault in Dartford left a woman fearing for her life. Matt Satchell, from Swanley, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday following a trial in which he was found guilty of intentional suffocation and actual bodily harm.
The court heard that on August 9, 2025, Satchell attacked the victim at her home following a verbal argument. During the struggle, which occurred in the presence of a young child, Satchell pinned the woman to the floor and covered her mouth and nose to prevent her from seeking assistance. The assault escalated as Satchell bit the victim’s nose, pressed his thumb into her eye, and repeatedly struck her while shouting obscenities.
The victim was able to flee the room briefly when the physical attack subsided, but Satchell became violent again when she requested the return of her mobile phone. Emergency services were alerted to the scene after a relative, who had been accidentally called during the struggle, overheard the commotion and contacted the police.
Responding officers found that Satchell had fled the scene before their arrival. He was later located and held at a property in Stone. In addition to his 36-month custodial sentence, the court imposed a five-year restraining order to protect the victim.
Investigating officer Police Constable Ellie Rose said:
‘This was a terrifying and sustained attack carried out in front of a young child, and Satchell was completely out of control. The victim showed enormous courage in coming forward, despite her understandable fear of reprisals, and I hope this outcome helps her begin to move forward with her life. There is never any excuse for domestic abuse. A wealth of support is available for victims, and we work closely with a range of agencies and charities to help people break free from the cycle of abuse.’