Man jailed for 23 years for attempted murder of his partner in Wakefield

He was seen to be repeatedly kicking his female victim in the head

30 year old Benjamin Swindells
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 20th Dec 2024

A man has been jailed for 23 years for the attempted murder of his partner in a Wakefield street.

30 year old Benjamin Swindells was arrested in the early hours of April 13 outside the Tesco Express at the junction of Sparable Lane and Barnsley Road.

He was seen to be repeatedly kicking his female victim in the head, before moving away from the scene to smoke a cigarette.

He later returned and attempted to pull his victim to her feet, but she dropped to the floor and hit her head. Swindells then continued kicking her.

Officers later found Swindells cradling the woman and had to pull him away from the victim.

Body worn footage showed him shouting at the victim and screaming at officers to 'kill me'.

The victim suffered swelling to the head and significant facial injuries.

Swindells, of no fixed address, was found at Leeds Crown Court of attempted murder.

Acting Detective Sergeant Andrew Jones, of Wakefield District Domestic Abuse Unit, said: “This was a sustained attack on a female victim which continued as she lay unconscious on the floor.

"Swindells initially tried to blame others for the assault but has since admitted causing these horrific injuries.

“The consequences of this assault could easily have been much worse given the repeated blows to the victim’s head.

"She spent over a week in hospital and eight months on, the victim is left with physical and psychological damage from this attack.

"I hope the conclusion of this court case helps her in her ongoing processing and recovery from this incident."

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