Bullying woman who attacked boyfriend with hammer and broken bottle jailed for eight years

A woman has been jailed for eight years in what a police officer describes as ‘one of the most serious cases of domestic violence’ she has ever seen. Victim Paul Kirkpatrick was left with a broken bone in his face and covered in blood after being ‘relentlessly’ abused over a two day period by his partner Gemma Hollings, a court heard. The 30-year-old who was hit with a hammer and slashed across the neck with a broken bottle, was found in the street by police after he ran away from the home they shared in Darwen, Lancashire.

Detectives said the prolonged attacks left the victim traumatized and with ‘significant and serious’ injuries. Campaigners also praised Mr Kirkpatrick for coming forward and giving evidence against his former partner during her trial at Preston Crown Court. She had denied the attacks, but was found guilty by a jury of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm and another two allegations of assault following five days of evidence. The 37-year-old was sentenced to eight years behind bars for the abuse. Speaking after the hearing, DC Jenny Berry, said: “The victim suffered very traumatic injuries. They could have potentially been fatal.
“This was a nasty attack. It is certainly one of the most serious cases of domestic violence I have ever come across. It was a relentless assault. Justice has now been done for the victim and he just wants to forget about the whole thing and move on with his life.” Officers found Mr Fitzpatrick with serious injuries following the attack in May, the court heard. Prosecutors said he had been hit with a hammer and a pole and Hollings had used a broken bottle to cut his neck. The force of the blows also caused a fracture to a bone in his face. He has been left with a scar on his neck and another just above his eye, police said. DC Berry said one of their arguments had been caused when Hollings fell out with Mr Kirkpatrick over her hair straighteners.
She said: “The bottle had been used to cause the injury to his neck. When the victim was found, he did not really understand the significance of his injuries. Since the attack, he has been able to move on. He has moved away and is not living in Darwen anymore. He has made a fresh start now that Hollings is in prison and the further away from her he is, the better.” The officer said cases of domestic violence against men were not reported to police as often as those against women. She added: “We do not hear of cases so much in terms of domestic violence against men because they are very much under-reported. This is the first domestic violence case I have dealt with which has involved a man. Tackling the issue is one of our main priorities and I would urge anyone, male of female, who is experiencing it to come forward.”