Blackpool man jailed for beating up his partner so badly - he left her blind in one eye
He subjected her to a series of attacks over more than a year.
Last updated 13th Nov 2017
A man has been jailed for more than 20 years for horrifically beating up his partner, leaving her blind in one eye.
Robert Fitzpatrick, was sentenced to 20 years and six months behind bars, having previously pleaded guilty to two counts of grievous bodily harm and one count of actual bodily harm.
The 45 year old attacked his 29-year-old victim at home, on Preston Old Road in Blackpool, between June 2015 and September 2016.
During that time, he broke her wrist, headbutted her and, in his final vicious attack, punched her repeatedly in the head, causing her to lose the sight in one eye.
After she went to the police police, Fitzpatrick and somone else he knew, Lee Jumeaux, offered her £30,000 to drop the case. But she refused.
Jumeaux, who's 38, and from Park Road in Blackpool, denied conspiring to pervert the course of justice, but was convicted and jailed for 2 years.
DC Matt Hodgson, of Blackpool Police, said: “This is one of the most horrific cases I have had to deal with in 14 years of policing and I am pleased the courts have taken it as seriously as we did. Fitzpatrick carried out a campaign of violence against his now-former partner for a year and a half and I am satisfied that he is now behind bars where he belongs.
This is one of the most horrific cases I have had to deal with in 14 years of policing
“The victim has been left with lasting physical damage, and I must commend her for her immense courage in coming forward to report these incidents to police. She showed further bravery when she refused to be intimidated into dropping her complaint. I hope she is now able to take some comfort from the sentences Fitzpatrick and Jumeaux have received, and that she can begin to move forward with her life.
“I also hope these sentences send a message that, in Lancashire, we take all crimes of this nature very seriously. Any victim of domestic abuse should report it to us in the knowledge that we will take their complaint seriously and they will be treated sensitively and professionally at all times.”
If you are a victim of domestic abuse you should report it to police on 101 or online at https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/IncidentReports/Create. If you are in immediate danger or you or someone else is injured you should contact police straight away on 999.
Lancashire Victim Services can also be contacted on 0300 323 0085 for emotional support, practical help and information.
More information about domestic abuse, how to report it and how to access help and support can be found at https://www.lancashire.police.uk/help-advice/personal-safety/domestic-abuse