Lennie Clement

Lennie Clement, 37, targeted a terrified female neighbour in a violent hammer attack at her home on Janaki-Ammal Avenue in Cringleford, Norfolk, on April 10, 2023. The incident occurred less than nine months after a previous assault on the same victim, whom Clement blamed for spreading rumours about his criminal past. Police were called to the scene at 4.41pm following reports of a man smashing a car with a hammer.

According to court proceedings at Norwich Magistrates’ Court, Clement had been seen earlier that day with a knife, telling a friend of the victim, 'she isn’t going to be here much longer'. As the woman and her friend attempted to drive away in a Peugeot car, Clement emerged with a hammer, stared at the vehicle, and then launched the attack by smashing the window. The woman suffered gashes to her thighs and ankles from flying glass and told police she was 'scared for my life'.

Upon arrival, officers found Clement had locked himself inside his address and refused to leave. Specialist resources, including armed officers and a drone unit, were deployed, and he was eventually detained. Clement pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal damage. District Judge Matthew Bone committed him to Norwich Crown Court for sentencing, citing a 'real prospect of immediate custody in excess of 12 months' and expressing concern over his track record of targeting women. The judge noted, 'He has assaulted this woman twice in less than a year and I’m very concerned he lives close to her.' Clement was remanded in custody until his sentencing on May 18, 2023.

Clement's criminal history includes a seven-year jail sentence in 2016 for raping a woman, after which he was placed on the sex offenders' register for life. He also has prior convictions for exposure and assault. In mitigation, Kieran Dunphy stated that Clement had been experiencing a mental health episode at the time but was now on medication and under the care of his GP. The case was reported by Simon Parkin, Crime Correspondent for the Eastern Daily Press, based on details from the court hearing.