A man has appeared in court for beating up a woman in Bexleyheath, just 16 months after he avoided going to prison for an assault on a different woman. 

Alexander Michael Spare, 37, appeared at the Old Bailey for sentencing last Thursday (May 12) after pleading guilty to assaulting a woman, sending her threatening text messages, assaulting three police officers and causing criminal damage to a police van. 

The court heard that on September 2 last year he punched a woman he knew in the face multiple times. 

When the victim’s mum threatened to call the police he ran away before sending the woman several threatening messages, the court heard. 

Metropolitan Police were called and while officers were at the scene he sent the victim a text saying: “Doing your mum’s motor now. Chair from library going through her motor watch. Two seconds now smash your windows in.” 

Officers opened the door to find Spare charging at the victim’s mum’s car holding a chair. 

Spare was arrested and taken to hospital to treat a cut on his head, the court heard. On the way he vandalised the police van by repeatedly spitting on it. 

Then at Queen Elizabeth Hospital he assaulted three police officers, the court heard.

While his handcuffs were removed to allow him to use the toilet he elbowed one officer in the face, got another in a headlock and stamped on the leg of another. 

Spare initially claimed he was acting in self-defence but later pleaded guilty to all charges. 

News Shopper: Spare previously avoided prison for a similar offenceSpare previously avoided prison for a similar offence (Image: Metropolitan Police)

The 37-year-old has a history of assaulting women. On May 11, 2021, when he was given a suspended sentence for an attack on a different woman. 

On that occasion police attended an address in Bermondsey after reports of a disturbance. 

Inside the property they found Spare and a woman with a large bruise and cut on her face. 

Spare, of no fixed abode, admitted “they had a bit of a push around”. He claimed she was injured by bouncing off of him but the woman said he assaulted her. 

For that assault he was given a 12-month suspended sentence, meaning he would not see a prison cell unless he committed another crime during the suspended sentence. 

On Thursday Judge Matthew Butt activated that sentence and gave Spare an additional 16-months in prison, giving a total sentence of 28 months. 

In mitigation, Spare apologised for his behaviour and admitted he had a drink and drug problem.