Express & Star

Father jailed after stamping and strangling 'vulnerable' ex-girlfriend in Walsall

A father from Walsall has been sentenced to nine years in prison after viciously attacking his ‘vulnerable’ ex-girlfriend who suffers from mental health problems.

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Michael Arrowsmith

Michael Arrowsmith, of Cope Street in Walsall, carried out two assaults on her last in July last year leaving her in hospital for days with multiple face and body injuries, including a fractured jaw, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

She said she had experienced serious anxiety since the attack, and had not been able to leave the house alone since.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how, during one of the beating’s, 47-year-old Arrowsmith smashed his victim’s head against a door frame, stamped, kicked and strangled her.

Her injuries were so severe, she needed an operation on her jaw to have two metal plates put in, with two metal plates having since been inserted.

In a statement from the victim, read out to the court, she said: “Since the attack I’ve been a different person. I used to be very social but I’ve only gone out a handful of times, and I always take someone with me. I’m self conscious about my appearance and have no confidence anymore. I have no sensation in my chin and lip – six months after the attack it has still not returned. I cannot sleep without having flashbacks.”

She also said she now suffered from anxiety and would become scared and intimidated when meeting people outside.

It was heard that Arrowsmith had a cocaine habit, which he had since conquered while being in custody, and that his former partner had a history of mental health problems.

Arrowsmith’s solicitor described his client’s behaviour as inexplicable.

Describing his behaviour, Arrowsmith’s defence solicitor said he was keen to turn his life around and had “expressed an interest in being completely free of drugs” upon release from prison.

The pair had been drinking together before the second, and more serious assault.

Sentencing Arrowsmith, Recorder Edward Coke said: “There was not just one attack, there were two; the second far more violent than the first. You smashed this woman’s head against a door frame, you kicked, stamped on, and strangled her. You knew full well that your victim was vulnerable. She was drunk and she had mental health problems.

“You had your shoes on. You kicked and stamped using your feet.

“Whatever grievance you may have had with her attitude, not once but twice you carried out this frenzied attack, even though she is vulnerable."

Arrowsmith was sentenced to nine years in prison. A restraining order will also be in place so he cannot go near his victim.