A Russian man has been sentenced to four years in prison for assaulting a woman in London, an attack witnessed on a video call and initially reported to police by Donald Trump’s son, Barron.
Matvei Rumiantsev, 23, was convicted on January 28 of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but acquitted of charges of rape and choking. He was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice after sending a letter from jail requesting the woman retract her allegations, according to the Associated Press.
At Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London on Friday, Justice Joel Bennathan described Rumiantsev as “totally unrepentant” and motivated by “jealousy” during sentencing remarks. “Your lack of insight and empathy was apparent at trial,” the judge stated. “You continue to try to blame the complainant for everything that has happened.”
The incident unfolded although Trump, 20, was on a FaceTime call with the woman, who remains anonymous under U.K. Law, when he observed a man repeatedly punching her. Details of the attack emerged during the trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in January.
Rumiantsev maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, claiming he became agitated when the woman allegedly referred to Trump as “sweetheart.” A transcript of the emergency call made by Trump to police was released by the Crown Prosecution Service, detailing his account of witnessing the assault.
“I’m calling from the U.S., I just got a call from a girl, you know, she’s getting beat up,” Trump told the emergency operator, according to a transcript released by prosecutors. “This was happening about eight minutes ago… I just figured out how to, how to call someone. It’s really an emergency.”
When pressed by the operator for details about how he witnessed the assault, Trump responded, “Uh, I got a call from her with a guy beating her up.” He initially struggled to provide further information, stating he did not know the assailant’s name.
The operator challenged Trump’s initial responses, stating, “If you desire to help the person, you’ll answer my questions clearly and precisely.” Trump subsequently apologized for his rudeness.
Following Trump’s call, police responded to the address and arrested Rumiantsev, a London-based receptionist. During his testimony, Rumiantsev admitted to feelings of jealousy towards Trump, but also expressed sympathy for the former president, believing the woman was manipulating him.
Defence counsel Sasha Wass questioned the extent of what Trump could have observed during the brief video call, estimated at five to seven seconds, and suggested the woman may have leveraged her connection to Trump to incite jealousy within her relationship, which she characterized as “full of dramas.”
While Trump did not testify in court, the judge commended his actions in contacting the police and potentially preventing a more severe outcome. The judge noted the victim’s fear for her life during the attack. “Mr. Trump properly and responsibly, despite being in the United States, made sure the emergency services here were called, and he told them what he had seen,” he said.
The woman herself testified that Trump’s call to police likely saved her life. “He helped save my life. That call was like a sign from God at that moment,” she stated, according to court transcripts.
