SHEFFIELD MAN JAILED FOR STABBING DAUGHTER AND SETTING HER ON FIRE
Mark Brooks, a 61-year-old man from Yorkshire, was involved in a violent assault against his 31-year-old daughter, Stacy Brooks.The incident followed their recent reunion after a 20-year estrangement, during which Stacy moved into his Sheffield home in Pitsmoor.
The relationship turned violent when Stacy asked her father for help following a breakup.
He became enraged over her new partner, leading to a heated telephone argument, after which he went to her location.
During the attack, Mark physically assaulted Stacy and then poured petrol and other flammable liquids on her body and clothes.
He attempted to ignite her by spraying petrol on her face and body, but his lighter malfunctioned on two occasions, preventing him from setting her alight.
Stacy's housemates managed to intervene, forcing Mark to flee.
She was terrified and called the police, resulting in his arrest on the same day.
Mark admitted to police that he had ingested twice the normal dose of diazepam, which he said made him feel 'like King Kong.' In December 2021, he pleaded guilty in Sheffield Crown Court to attempted grievous bodily harm and aggression towards his daughter.
He was sentenced to nine years and six months behind bars and was given an indefinite restraining order to ensure her protection.
The case shines a light on a distressing event where, after finally reconnecting, Mark tried to kill Stacy with petrol amid feelings of jealousy and anger relating to her new relationships.
Stacy described her emotions regarding her father’s actions, stating, 'He was an awful dad and played almost zero part in my life.
I never really even thought about him until I was left with nowhere to go after a break-up and a family member suggested I could reconnect with him.' Today, she remains emotionally scarred and anxious, particularly around petrol or flammable substances, but is relieved that justice has been served.
