Bradford Allen, 52, of Norman Road in Seacombe, Merseyside, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on June 23 after pleading guilty to making threats to kill and wounding with intent. The attack occurred in the early hours of March 23 this year, when Allen threatened to kill his girlfriend before striking her repeatedly with a baseball bat.
Attack Details
The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, had been staying at Allen's home after the couple had spent the evening drinking. She woke up to find Allen sitting next to her, saying he was going to kill her and then himself. She recalled: 'He hit me in the head with a baseball bat and then the rest of my body.' She tried to block the blows with her arms, but Allen continued the assault.
After the attack, Allen asked for a hug and said sorry. The victim said: 'I thought he was going to end my life. When he asked me for a hug and said sorry I just had to do it, I was scared.' He then called paramedics, claiming she had been jumped.
Injuries and Aftermath
The victim suffered two large lacerations to her head, a concussion that lasted eight weeks, and a broken leg that required a metal plate to be inserted. Distressing photos show large black bruises on her arms and legs, and blood across her face.
She had been in a relationship with Allen for about 12 months after meeting on Facebook. Despite noticing red flags, she continued the romance. Three weeks before the attack, the relationship deteriorated, and she planned to break up with him, but after he bombarded her with messages, she agreed to see him the day before the attack.
Sentencing
At Liverpool Crown Court, Allen was sentenced to seven years in prison with an additional three years on licence. He was also given an indefinite restraining order and ordered to forfeit and destroy the baseball bat.
The victim bravely spoke out about the abuse, hoping to encourage others in similar situations to seek help. She said: 'He was supposed to love me, but he left me lying in a pool of my own blood.'
