In a truly horrifying incident that has shocked the West Midlands community, an 18-year-old teenager survived a terrifying 40-foot plunge from a tower block window after being thrown by her controlling boyfriend during a violent domestic dispute. The attack occurred at Merton House in Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, Birmingham, and was captured on chilling CCTV footage released by West Midlands Police with the victim's consent.
The Terrifying Fall and Miraculous Survival
Jordan Herring, a 22-year-old man from Solihull, either pushed or threw his teenage partner from the fourth floor window of the residential tower block following a heated argument. The distance from the window to the concrete pavement below measured approximately 11.4 metres, equivalent to just over 37 feet. Remarkably, the young woman survived the catastrophic fall after her head missed direct contact with the hard concrete surface by mere inches.
The victim was airlifted to hospital in critical condition, suffering from a collapsed lung alongside multiple fractures to her pelvis, spine, and ribs. Despite these severe injuries, she demonstrated incredible resilience and was able to return home just one week after the traumatic attack. Medical professionals have described her survival as nothing short of miraculous given the circumstances and height of the fall.
Disturbing Details of the Attack Emerge
During the subsequent police investigation and court proceedings, disturbing details about the controlling nature of the relationship and the events leading up to the attack came to light. The victim recalled to officers that Herring had held her near the window while threatening 'I will throw you out, I will kill you' moments before the violent act occurred. She has no memory of what happened immediately after this terrifying threat was made.
Prior to the window incident, the teenager had already arrived at the tower block 'battered and bruised' with two black eyes and visible marks on her neck. Herring had taken her to his mother's flat at Merton House specifically to evade her concerned family members who had been searching for her. He made her conceal her appearance by wearing two hoodies in an attempt to hide her injuries from potential witnesses.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
Jordan Herring faced trial at Birmingham Crown Court charged with attempted murder, having previously been convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour towards his partner. The case required two separate trials after the initial jury failed to reach a majority verdict on the most serious charges.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Jamie Scott presented compelling evidence including the CCTV footage that clearly showed the teenager's fall at 11.22pm on November 12, 2022. Further footage from the building revealed Herring 'strolling' down the stairs after the incident, followed by his mother Kerrie-Anne Grogan. The defendant then picked up the injured teenager, wrapped her in a blanket, and took her back upstairs to the flat.
Alarmingly, more than an hour passed before emergency services were finally contacted. Ms Grogan initially told the 999 call handler that Herring had prevented her from seeking help sooner, claiming he possessed a knife and expressing fears that he might kill the teenager. However, she later retracted these allegations in court, attributing her initial statements to mental health issues and intoxication at the time of the incident.
Attempts to Deceive and Final Outcome
In a particularly cynical attempt to evade responsibility, Herring falsely claimed that the teenager had climbed out of the window and dropped herself following an argument about alleged infidelity. This version of events was thoroughly discredited by the prosecution's evidence and the victim's testimony.
The jury ultimately found Jordan Herring guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm but cleared him of the more serious charges of GBH with intent and attempted murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13, awaiting the court's decision regarding the appropriate punishment for his violent actions.
This distressing case highlights the devastating consequences of coercive control and domestic violence within relationships, while simultaneously demonstrating the remarkable resilience of survivors. The victim's physical recovery, though challenging, represents a testament to human endurance in the face of extreme violence.
