Controlling Boyfriend Sentenced to Five Years for Throwing Teenage Girl from 40ft Tower Block
A controlling boyfriend who hurled his teenage girlfriend from a 40ft tower block during a cannabis-fuelled rage has been jailed for five years. Jordan Herring, 22, threw 18-year-old Bobbie Goodman from the fourth floor of Merton House in Solihull, Birmingham, shortly after 11.20pm on November 12, 2022.
Miraculous Survival After Horrific Fall
CCTV footage captured the shocking moment Ms Goodman plummeted almost 40ft onto a grass verge below. Remarkably, she survived the horrific fall after her head missed the concrete pavement by mere inches. The teenage victim suffered devastating injuries including a collapsed lung, shattered pelvis, broken ribs and a smashed spine from the impact.
She spent a month in intensive care and became dependent on a wheelchair for several months after being discharged from hospital. Ms Goodman, now 21, continues to experience constant pain from her back and pelvis as a result of the traumatic incident.
Cannabis-Fuelled Attack Over Snapchat Messages
Birmingham Crown Court heard how Herring attacked his partner and interrogated her during a violent outburst after discovering messages from other men on her Snapchat account. Ms Goodman told police how Herring had warned her moments before throwing her from the window: 'I will throw you out, I will kill you.'
The court was told Ms Goodman had moved in with Herring in April 2022 at Merton House when her family became concerned after noticing bruises and black eyes. Herring became 'repeatedly verbally and physically abusive' and exercised 'increasing control over her and her life' - which left Ms Goodman feeling 'worthless and empty'.
Dangerous Offender with History of Controlling Behaviour
The defendant, from Solihull, was previously convicted of causing grievous bodily harm but cleared of attempted murder at Birmingham Crown Court. He had also been found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour against the same victim following a previous trial.
Sentencing Herring, Judge Simon Drew KC described him as a 'dangerous offender' and extended his licence period for an additional year. The judge detailed how Herring had started a relationship with the victim in February 2022 when she was 17 and he was 18, shortly after being released from a previous prison sentence.
Shocking CCTV Footage and Delayed Emergency Response
Judge Drew commented on the disturbing CCTV evidence: 'I have seen the CCTV footage and it is a pretty shocking piece of footage. She falls something in the order of 40ft from the fourth floor. She was fortunate to hit the grass area and not the pavement only a few feet away from where she landed.'
The footage showed Herring 'strolling' down the stairs after the incident, followed by his mother, picking the injured teenager up from the grass verge, wrapping her in a blanket and carrying her back up to the flat. Shockingly, the mother and son did not call emergency services until more than an hour later, when the critically injured teenager had to be airlifted to hospital and required an urgent blood transfusion.
Victim's Ongoing Trauma and Recovery
In a powerful victim impact statement, Ms Goodman said: 'What Herring did to me has affected me in many ways. I am extremely lucky to be alive. To be honest I have no idea how I survived what happened to me. I am in constant pain with my back and pelvis. He made me feel worthless and empty and had total control of my life.'
Prosecutor Jamie Scott revealed that before the fall, Herring had assaulted Ms Goodman twice as well as interrogating her over the Snapchat messages. He added: 'It appears that this offence was provoked through Herring's cannabis consumption and his violent jealousy.'
Defence Arguments and Sentencing Outcome
Nicholas Berry, defending Herring, told the court: 'He had a significantly difficult childhood. He was exposed to considerable parental trauma, drugs and alcohol. He has struggled with anger, paranoid thoughts and drug use and an inability to process his emotions.'
The court heard how Herring had taken Ms Goodman to Merton House, where his mother also lived, to avoid the teenager's concerned family who had been looking for her. She was already 'battered and bruised' with two black eyes and marks to her neck, which Herring made her hide by wearing two hoodies.
Herring had claimed the teenage girl climbed out the window herself and fell after they fought about cheating allegations, but the evidence presented in court told a very different story of deliberate violence and controlling behaviour.
