Sheffield thug Richard Dewsnap pinned ex to sofa using "sharpened pitchfork" during "campaign of terror"
A Sheffield woman was left fearing for her life after her violent ex pinned her to a sofa by her neck using a “sharpened pitch fork,” before grabbing a kettle and threatening to “hot water” her.
Richard Dewsnap was banned from seeing his ex or visiting her home as part of bail conditions when he carried out the horrifying attack.
Dewsnap and the complainant had previously been in an “on and off” relationship, but by the time of the incident it was “very much off.”
Despite the police bail conditions in place at the time, Dewsnap, aged 42, visited his ex’s home late at night and she discovered him standing in her garden “smiling.”
Sheffield Crown Court heard how the complainant believed Dewsnap to be in a good mood and so agreed to let him into her home.
Describing what happened next, the judge, Recorder Adrian Langdale KC, told Dewsnap: “In an unprovoked manner, you became highly irate and aggressive towards [the complainant].
“You were screaming and shouting in her face. Not content with abusing her in her own home, you then armed yourself, grabbing a pitchfork - which was already in her living room.
“You started to wave it towards her face. She was absolutely terrified, but even then you did not stop…you pressed that sharp, double-pronged item against her neck, using force to pin her against a sofa.”
The complainant suffered a one-inch cut to her neck in the incident, but even then he did not stop, a hearing held on March 24, 2026 was told.
Prosecutor Zaiban Alam said Dewsnap subsequently disposed of the pitchfork in the complainant’s garden, before storming back into the kitchen, grabbing the kettle and telling the complainant he was going to “hot water” her.
The horrified complainant took the opportunity to flee her own home and hid in her neighbour’s garden where she called the police.
Recorder Dewsnap continued: “From the 999 call, she was clearly terrified for her life.”
The court heard how several entries on Dewsnap’s extensive criminal record, spanning 84 previous offences, were committed against the complainant.
She has also withdrawn her support for several more prosecutions, including this one, such is her fear of the defendant.
Following this incident on September 19, 2025, however, the complainant did provide an account of events to police officers, allowing prosecutors to proceed with the case against him.
She told them: “It’s got to a point where I genuinely fear for my life. I’ve told officers I genuinely believe he’ll kill me one day.”
Dewsnap, of Herries Road, Shirecliffe, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing.
Defending, Tim Gaubert told the court that Dewsnap has a number of mental health problems including borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia.
Mr Gaubert said Dewsnap was homeless at the time of the offending, adding that his troubles were compounded by his drink and drug dependency.
Jailing Dewsnap for 27 months, Recorder Langdale said Dewsnap had subjected the complainant to a “campaign of terror.”
He added that anyone who “wields a sharpened pitchfork - which is the equivalent of two bladed articles” deserves an immediate prison sentence.
Recorder Langdale also granted a restraining order, prohibiting Dewsnap from contacting the complainant for five years.