A woman was viciously assaulted by her boyfriend about she confronted him about suspicious messages on his phone, resulting in a catastrophic stroke that has severely impacted her life.
Harry Boulton, 29, launched into a brutal attack on his girlfriend of four years when she questioned him about texts hinting at infidelity. During the assault, he punched her as many as six times, including a blow to the back of her head that dissected her carotid artery.
The attack led to a massive stroke for the 30-year-old, leaving her with a speech disorder and impairing her ability to walk and perform basic tasks. She now requires the full-time care of her family, having lost her managerial job, her flat, her car and her independence, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In a video statement played in court, the victim of the attack mourned not being able to do "normal things a woman her age could do". "I'm worried, I can have kids but I can't stop my medication."
An intermediary assisting the victim asked: "Because it would harm the baby?" To which she confirmed: "Yes."
Boulton, from Sale, near Manchester, entered a guilty plea to a charge under section 20 for wounding without intent just ahead of the trial where the woman was set to testify. Initially, he had claimed self-defence and branded his partner the "aggressor", but subsequently changed his plea.
On Wednesday, April 16, at Minshull Street Crown Court, the man was sentenced to three years in prison, a verdict that brought tears to the eyes of the victim's family members.
Judge Matthew Corbett-Jones, while sentencing him, stated: "The impact has been catastrophic. She was entitled to feel safe and secure and to be treated with care and respect. You were in her home, a place where she was entitled to feel protected from harm."
The court was informed that on December 17, 2022, an argument ensued between the couple when the woman suspected Boulton of infidelity.
Initially, she confiscated his phone and locked herself in the bathroom before confronting him downstairs. Prosecutor Justin Hayhoe explained: "He was simply saying he was sorry. She was calm and asked the defendant to explain the messages. She was expecting a discussion, not to be attacked." Boulton then assaulted her with multiple punches to her head.
During the assault, she felt blood trickling down her neck and questioned him: "What have you done?" After the incident, she went to bed and later refused him entry into the bedroom when he complained about being cold.
Mr Hayhoe added: "She was unable to sleep due to discomfort and pain and she couldn't get her hand to move properly. She went to work the next day but felt her arm go floppy, and, realising she was unwell, her colleagues took her to hospital."
It later emerged that her carotid artery had been dissected, leading to two strokes. Over a span of two years, the woman was repeatedly hospitalised for specialist care. In addition to her physical struggles, she was diagnosed with depression and PTSD.
"Her gait was significantly impaired, she can only walk a short distance and uses the aid of a walking stick. She is unable to undertake basic tasks. Her right arm is significantly impaired and there is a long-term risk of permanent pain," Mr Hayhoe said.
"She is unable to drive [due to risk of seizures], she has been diagnosed with a speech disorder in that she is unable to recall words and cannot form grammatically correct sentences."
In a heartfelt statement, her mother described how their lives had been turned "upside down". She has become her daughter's full-time carer and is "distraught" after seeing her suffer a seizure.
"She was independent, intelligent, had a great job that she loved and financed her own flat and car. She is never going to work again," her mother lamented.
"My daughter is still alive, but Harry has taken her life."
"We had to watch her slip away. Harry has taken away every aspect of her life. You have ruined our lives," the victim's younger sister added.
Defence lawyer Jemma Gordon stated that Boulton was "extremely remorseful" and extended his apologies to the victim and her family.
A defence statement said: "He has expressed significant remorse and regret for the harm he has caused. The offence was out of character."
Boulton, a resident of Washway Road, Sale, received a three-year prison sentence.
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