Man Jailed after Attack Leaves Partner Unconscious
A man from Wigan has been jailed after he launched a violent attack on his partner when she ended their relationship.
Violent attack
Liverpool Crown Court heard how Daniel Halpin and Claire Etheridge started their relationship in June 2015 and after one month they moved in together.
Paul Treble, prosecuting, told the court that towards the end of 2015 however, the couple increasingly began to argue. On the evening of 18 December 2015 and the evening after, Miss Etheridge tried to explain to Halpin that she no longer wanted to be a part of the relationship. However Halpin simply ignored her attempts to end their relationship.
The court heard that on the following day, Miss Etheridge told Halpin to leave and an argument ensued. It was at this point that Halpin slapped Miss Etheridge round the back of the head.
Halpin then started to gather his possessions and upon leaving the bedroom, he punched Miss Etheridge with such force that the blow knocked her unconscious to the floor. Mr Treble told the court that when Miss Etheridge came to, she had difficulty seeing out of her eye. She went downstairs and approached Halpin for help but he pushed passed, swearing as he did so.
The prosecution added:
“When asked why he had done it he replied by laughing.”
Miss Etheridge’s mother was asleep upstairs at the time of the attack, when she awoke she immediately called the police. Once police officers arrived at the property, Halpin was arrested.
Miss Etheridge was left with a jaw displacement and a potential fracture to the side of her face.
When sentencing Halpin, Judge Alan Conrad, QC, said that he had “an appalling record for violence”. He went on to say:
“This was a particularly unpleasant domestic violence assault rendering the victim unconscious with unpleasant and painful facial injuries.”
Halpin, of Darlington Street East, Scholes, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.
Criminal Injury – Expert Advice
We understand that if you have been subjected to an act of violence, your thoughts will turn to making a full recovery – compensation will likely be the last thing on your mind.
There is, however, a government Scheme that provides compensation to victims or their families who have been the innocent victims of a violent attack. The Scheme is called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and is governed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
If you would like expert advice on this type of case, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6 888 or email
