A former Army sergeant from Cornwall, UK who was jailed for threatening to kill one woman and trying to suffocate another during sex would have not been able to attack the second victim were it not for delays in the justice system. Martin Underwood, originally from Cornwall but also lived in Worsborough, South Yorkshire, had been drinking when he assaulted his first victim in 2021. Underwood struck her with a phone and pushed her in the stomach before picking up a knife and threatening to kill her and then himself.
The victim described Underwood as controlling and dangerous and said she has undergone extensive therapy as a result of the abuse. Underwood’s second victim was attacked in August 2022 following an argument while they were having sex. The victim said Underwood had held a plastic bag over her face and only removed it when she agreed to do what he demanded.
The victim of the knife offense, Elizabeth Hudson, has spoken to the BBC and said that delays in the court system are causing distress and misery for victims. Elizabeth recalls believing she was going to die. She had been slashed with the knife Underwood was holding as he pinned her in the kitchen of her home. Fortunately, she was able to escape out the front door and run into the arms of a neighbor.
It was during a period of delays in the court system that Underwood attacked his second victim. Ms. Hudson said that the delays ultimately meant that another woman was put in incredible danger and that the criminal justice system just doesn’t work.
Underwood was jailed 671 days after he attacked Elizabeth with the judge describing the attacks as “serious and unpleasant” and likely to have caused significant damage which will be ongoing for some time. Despite the jail sentence and restraining orders being made, Ms. Hudson feels she and her fellow victim have been let down by the justice system, emphasizing the impact on their lives isn’t taken into account.