Man jailed indefinitely for horrific attack on girlfriend
A Wigan man who smashed his girlfriend in the face with a dumbbell has been caged indefinitely.
A judge told Michael Southern: "This was a dreadful and vicious assault and in drink you present a particular danger to women.
"When you are affected by drink you quickly become aggressive and violent. You attacked her with a dumbell causing serious injuries to her face."
Judge Mark Brown pointed out that during the couple's three-year relationship there had been eight incidents of his violence to her reported to the Domestic Violence Unit.
He imposed an indeterminate sentence for public protection and ordered that 32-year-old Southern must serve two and a half years before he is eligible to apply for parole.
But he pointed out: "If you do not accept the help you can get in prison then you will spend a very long time in jail."
Southern, of Harold Street, Aspull, pleaded guilty to wounding Jane London with intent.
Lloyd Morgan, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that on October 31 last year Southern arrived at Miss London's home and began drinking bottles of cider which worried her because of his history of being violent when drunk.
Southern attacked her after accusing her of still being in touch with her former husband, but she has no recollection of the assault as she was knocked unconscious and came to with serious facial injuries. She went to a neighbour's home, who described the injuries as "terrible" and an ambulance was called.
Mr Morgan said that her injuries were found to comprise multiple fractures to her jaw, nose and cheek and she had a deep laceration to her eyebrow and another to her forehead.
A forensic scientist who attended her Wigan home found her blood and hair on the wall and formed the opinion that the victim had been struck several times with the dumbbell while on the floor.
Southern was arrested on November 1 and he admitted twice hitting her with a dumbbell. He told police she had bitten his finger and he attacked her in self-defence.
The court heard that he had been jailed for 12 months in 1998 for assaulting her with a rolling pin.
Brian McKenna, defending, said that Southern had made a frank admission to police. "He is deeply remorseful for what he has done," he added.
After the hearing Det Con John Davies of Wigan CID said: "The photos of Jane show just how horrific her injuries were and she has been incredibly strong in seeing this through the court process.
"I hope that other victims of domestic abuse will see today's conviction and realise that they can come to police, get the support they need and make sure the people who think they can get away with hurting them are stopped and jailed."
Greater Manchester Police is urging domestic abuse offenders this Valentine's Day to give a true gift of love to their victims, by ending the abuse. Victims are also being encouraged to use this Valentine's Day to assess their relationship, consider how they can change their life for the better and seek the help and advice they need to leave their abuser.
Det Insp Jane Little, Force Domestic Abuse Officer for Greater Manchester Police said: "A common justification used by many abusers after an attack is 'I'm sorry, I love you, it will never happen again'. This is not love and there is never any excuse for domestic abuse. Advice and assistance is available to both victims and abusers and I would urge anyone in a violent or abusive relationship to seek the help they need."
Trained and experienced specialist domestic abuse investigators are available across Greater Manchester to give advice on dealing with all kinds of abuse.
To contact your local domestic abuse unit call the GMP switchboard on (0161) 872 5050. In an emergency where there is an immediate threat to life or property, always call 999. Information is also available on the GMP internet pages on www.gmp.police.uk/domesticabuse.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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