Jealous Ludlow man in baseball bat attack on girlfriend
A jealous man beat his girlfriend with a baseball bat during a five-hour attack on the day she had planned to move into his Shropshire home, a court heard.
Luke Strain's victim nearly lost consciousness in the agonising ordeal in which he told her he had fantasised about murder and threatened to kill her.
Unemployed Strain, of Upper Galdeford, Ludlow, had "casually used violence" throughout the nine-month relationship but "fell into a jealous rage" when she told him she had feelings for someone else, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday.
The 21-year-old admitted causing actual bodily harm to his former girlfriend, from Shrewsbury, and was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said of the attack on July 7 this year: "They began an argument and he punched her to the face and body.
"He got a cream coloured baseball bat and struck her about the legs and lower back.
"He said he had a killer instinct and had fantasised about killing someone and if she carried on she would be the first. He put his hands around her throat and she felt she was going blue and was about to pass out but she managed to get free."
The victim locked herself in the bathroom and the next day escaped to a library where she reported the attack. She had her arm in a cast for four weeks due to a suspected fracture.
Mr Brendan Reedy, defending, said: "The complainant had been staying with Mr Strain at his home in Ludlow but that day she was moving in with him properly when she said she had feelings for somebody else."
He added: "He has been in custody since this matter came to light, some three months ago.
"He was assaulted when he was in custody and he lost a tooth so he knows full well the dangers of being in custody and how unpleasant it is. It was long enough for him to be very keen to prove he can be trusted to co-operate fully with probation."
Sentencing, Judge Peter Barrie, said: "During your nine month relationship you casually used violence. You punched her in the face just because you were fed up with something that she had done."
He added: "You fell into a jealous rage and must have completely lost your self control.
"She describes an attack that lasted five hours in which you punched and beat her. She nearly lost consciousness when you hit her head against the wall. You hit her repeatedly with a baseball bat."
Strain will serve half of his sentence before being released on licence and he is also subject to a five year restraining order to stop him from contacting the victim.
