Sheffield domestic abuser attacked ex while she was holding their baby during shocking campaign of violence
"What you did to this young woman has clearly had a significant impact on her, but she has shown remarkable fortitude”
A Sheffield domestic abuser subjected his partner to a prolonged campaign of violence, even going so far as to attack her while she was carrying their new baby.
Mzimkhulu Ndhlovu subjected his then-partner to multiple serious assaults, both before and after the pair had a child together.
Sheffield Crown Court heard how during one of the shocking attacks, Ndhlovu forced a metal ointment tube into the complainant's mouth, and scraped it along her cheek, leaving her with a permanent scar.
During another attack, Ndhlovu, of High Hazels Mead, Darnall, Sheffield, lay on top of the complainant as she was holding their baby, leading her to fear he would suffocate them both.
He then proceeded to drag her off a bed by her hair, while their child was still in her arms, Richard Davies, prosecuting, told a hearing held on October 8, 2026.
Mr Davies described how, during a prolonged attack from Ndhlovu, he punched the complainant in the face, poured an entire bottle of Fanta over her and strangled her, digging his nails in as he did so.
In a statement to the court, the complainant said that was the incident that convinced her she needed to end things with Ndhlovu.
She said she lost herself, her identity and “any sense of meaning” during her relationship with Ndhlovu, aged 36.
Since the relationship came to an end, however, she has realised that despite the physical scars, she is a strong woman who knows her worth, and not only how a human being - but a woman - should be treated.
The court heard how after the complainant ended the relationship, Ndhlovu embarked on a campaign of stalking.
As part of the campaign, he called her repeatedly - with 81 missed calls on a single day - sent messages with bank transfers of small amounts of cash and found other new platforms on which to message her after she blocked him.
Mr Davies said Ndhlovu also climbed through her kitchen window, got down on his knees and begged her to take him back, before grabbing hold of her legs.
This incident, which occurred in January 2026, prompted the complainant to call the police, leading to Ndhlovu’s arrest.
He was subsequently charged with, and pleaded guilty to, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation and stalking at an earlier hearing.
Defending, Sohail Khan said Ndhlovu has been in prison on remand since his arrest in January 2026, which has been a period of “salutary reflection.”
Mr Khan said Ndhlovu was resigned to the fact that he would serve more time behind bars.
Jailing Ndhlovu for four years, Judge Rachael Harrison told him: "What you did to this young woman has clearly had a significant impact on her, but she has shown remarkable fortitude.”
Judge Harrison said Ndhlovu’s pre-sentence report has demonstrated he has “little victim empathy” and has concerning attitudes when it comes to violence against women.
She also imposed a seven-year restraining order.