THUG'S 'TERRIFYING' ATTACK AFTER ARREST FOR TRAPPING WOMAN IN HALIFAX BEDROOM
A woman described feeling she was going to die after being trapped in her Halifax bedroom during a relentless attack by a violent offender, who then returned to strike her again.In July of the previous year, Luke Armitage, 29, obstructed the stairs in the woman’s house in Heywood, Greater Manchester, effectively locking her in her bedroom during a violent incident that lasted about four hours.
Although he was initially detained and granted police bail, Armitage breached a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) by revisiting the property a month later.
Prosecutor Gareth Henderson-Moore told Bradford Crown Court that Armitage was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol when a dispute turned violent.
During the assault, he physically covered the woman’s mouth and face.
“At one stage, he held her around the neck and squeezed,” said Mr Henderson-Moore.
The woman briefly lost consciousness and believed she was on the brink of death.
Police responded after being alerted by a neighbour and found the woman visibly upset.
Armitage, with prior convictions including robbery and harassment, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing actual bodily harm and common assault.
Defence lawyer John Bottomley explained that Armitage now acknowledges the need for custody and has participated in available programs at HMP Lincoln.
He described him as an “enhanced” prisoner who, during detention, tested negative for drugs.
“He has made significant positive use of his time in prison and shows a genuine desire to reform,” Mr Bottomley stated.
Nonetheless, Judge Sophie McKone pointed out that the DVPO was meant to prevent such violence.
“Unfortunately, it did not succeed,” she mentioned.
She highlighted how frightening the first attack was and described the second, during his bail period, as even more serious.
“She genuinely thought she was going to die.
The experience must have been terrifying,” she said.
While acknowledging Armitage’s progress, the judge concluded that the serious nature of the offences warranted a custodial sentence.
He was sentenced to serve 20 months in prison.
