2014: 'VICIOUS' THUG WHO BATTERED GIRLFRIEND JAILED FOR 10 YEARS
Damien Baxendale received a 10-year prison sentence yesterday after violently assaulting Chelsea Hayes, whom he punched and kicked in the head while she was defenseless.The injuries she sustained included a brain bleed, two fractured vertebrae, a broken eye socket that required surgical reconstruction, damaged neck ligaments, and severe swelling that left her unable to open her mouth fully, along with black eyes and swollen lips.
When police arrived at Baxendale’s Flat in Deane in the early hours of August 3 the previous year, they were called by a concerned neighbor to find 23-year-old Miss Hayes unconscious on the bed.
Her clothes were torn, and the scene was blood-splattered throughout the rooms.
At Bolton Crown Court, Baxendale was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with an additional four years on licence, for this assault and a second incident of violence involving another partner that occurred a year later.
Judge Peter Davies described the assault as savage, brutal, ferocious, and frenzied.
Prosecutor Rachel White explained that a neighbor had witnessed Baxendale outside his flat at 3 am, kicking someone in the face as if playing football.
When police arrived, Baxendale initially refused access, claiming Miss Hayes was asleep, but he allowed entry after they threatened to force their way in.
Inside, officers saw a bloodied scene with evidence of a struggle, and Miss Hayes was severely injured, gagging, and unconscious.
Baxendale showed no remorse, claiming her drunkenness and stating to police that the injuries were her own fault, alleging she had hit her head.
While Miss Hayes lay unconscious in hospital, Baxendale boasted that when she woke up, she would confirm everything he had said.
Miss Hayes was hospitalized for ten days and later had no memory of that night.
Her injuries were akin to those seen in serious road accidents, and her face was so swollen that her three-year-old daughter failed to recognize her.
Her injuries caused ongoing problems such as back pain, headaches, nausea, dizziness, memory issues, and depression.
Despite being granted bail in February, Baxendale was re-arrested on August 2 after a violent street attack on another girlfriend.
Witnesses saw Baxendale hitting and kicking a woman at a bus stop, then dragging her across the road by her hair, which resulted in a broken nose and facial bruising.
Baxendale, 24, from Briercliffe Road, Deane, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
His defense lawyer expressed that Baxendale was “truly ashamed and shocked” by his actions, acknowledging he understood he did not deserve leniency.
However, Judge Davies regarded Baxendale as a dangerous individual who posed a significant risk to the public and noted he was not genuinely remorseful.
The judge emphasized that footage from CCTV and photographs of the victims’ injuries were deeply disturbing.
Baxendale's sentence was met with cheers and applause from Miss Hayes' family.
