‘GENTLE GIANT’ ATTACKED PARTNER WITH HAMMER DURING LOCKDOWN, JAILED FOR 16 MONTHS
A "gentle giant" and someone who is "otherwise very pleasant to be around" attacked his partner with a hammer after they moved in together during lockdown.Brooks, 26, of Park Road, Ripley, had been in custody for eight months and is likely to be released very soon.
From medical reports, the judge understood Brooks was not able to manage his emotions and pressure around him.
"This was exacerbated and heightened during isolation during the pandemic," he told Brooks, who appeared on a video link from HMP Nottingham.
He was sentenced to 16 months in custody concurrently on offences of assault, causing bodily harm, and wounding.
A restraining order was made against Brooks for five years.
Mr.
Robinson stated that Brooks, who had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty, had references describing him as a "gentle giant and somebody who is otherwise very pleasant to be around".
His background includes difficulty at school, being diagnosed with autism, anxiety, and depression, completing an IT course at college, and working as a support worker for an autistic charity in Birmingham where he grew up and was living with his mother.
He started to speak with a woman from Uttoxeter online, and they moved in together at an address in Ripley during the pandemic.
The court was told that Brooks found it difficult to handle the emotional pressure, especially during isolation.
The court details a series of violent incidents: on June 2, 2021, he attacked her arm, punching, striking with a TV remote, and biting it.
He later punched her head, pushed her, put his hands around her throat, struck her with a hammer, took her phone, and pushed her into a shelving unit.
The victim's hair was bloodied, and she had to bang on her window to attract neighbors' attention.
When emergency services arrived, she was taken to hospital for treatment.
A previous incident on April 22, 2021, involved Brooks hitting her after she commented on him pulling hairs from his beard.
He also swung a hammer toward her legs during this attack, when she put her hand out, she cut her wrist and needed surgery.
Brooks also took her phone, pushed her, and caused her to hit her head.
The victim disclosed that Brooks had no prior convictions and pleaded guilty.
He was diagnosed with autism, anxiety, and depression, which contributed to his difficulties managing emotions, worsened by pandemic isolation.
Judge Nigel Godsmark QC mentioned that Brooks, who had been in custody for eight months, would be released soon.
The judge emphasized that Brooks was not able to manage his emotions properly, and the attacks with a hammer were fortunate injuries were not more severe.
Mr.
Robinson expressed that references described Brooks as a "gentle giant," and noted his background challenges, including being bullied and diagnosed with autism.
Brooks had been a support worker and lived in Birmingham with his mother.
Brooks is currently serving a 16-month sentence for assault, bodily harm, and wounding.
The court highlighted his recent time in custody and the likelihood of early release, considering his mental health and background.
