Man jailed for attacking woman with air rifle butt
David Gale, 23, of Barle Court, Tiverton, was jailed for two years and six months at Plymouth Crown Court.
Gale had pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman occasioning her actual bodily harm.
He had also admitted possessing an air rifle with intent to cause fear of violence.
A jury had unanimously acquitted him of raping the woman and perverting the course of justice, at a trial at Exeter Crown Court in December last year.
Judge Jeremy Griggs had ordered the jury to return a not guilty verdict for the charge of perverting the course of justice, which involved alleged witness intimidation.
Gale had denied both those charges, which involved the same incident as the violence.
The woman cannot be identified under legal restrictions concerning the rape allegation, of which Gale was acquitted.
The court had been told that Gale drove the woman to a river bank near Dulverton early last year. They had argued and then he punched her, kicked her and attacked her with the butt of an air rifle.
Gale had described his behaviour as "moments of madness" to the jury.
He was acquitted of rape after he said they had consensual sex at the scene, following the argument.
Gale told the court that he had been "shocked" at her suggesting sex to him.
The prosecution's case had been that Gale suggested the woman have sex with him in return for him letting her go free and that she agreed because she was terrified.
The allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice involved sending her a message on a website afterwards.
Gale told the court that he did not realise there was a police investigation under way when he sent the message.
He said that he sent it because he was being a "bit mouthy" and he had not been attempting to hamper any police enquiry.
Judge Griggs had warned Gale, at the end of his trial, that he was still probably facing prison for the two charges he had admitted, despite being acquitted of the sex offence and witness intimidation.
The judge lived up to his warning last Tuesday, when he sent him to prison.
The judge said that 155 days would be deducted from Gale's sentence as credit for time already spent in custody.
Judge Griggs also ordered that the air rifle should be forfeited and destroyed.
