GARETH PICKFORD

JEALOUS BOYFRIEND JAILED FOR HORRIFIC EYE INJURY FROM HEADBUTT

A possessive and jealous boyfriend named Gareth Pickford has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after causing a woman’s severe eye injury by forcefully headbutting her.

The incident occurred after an argument, where Pickford, aged 43, headbutted the victim in the left eye during a heated dispute.

Following the assault, he attempted to cover up by creating a false story to prevent her family and friends from discovering the true cause of the injury.

The injury was serious enough to require hospital treatment, including lancing and stitching.

Pickford's violent behavior was not limited to this incident; he had previously assaulted her teenage son and was involved in multiple episodes of domestic violence, including another assault in December that involved slapping her across the face and causing bruising.

The court heard about his history of violence, and he was also convicted of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two of assault by beating.

The court condemned his actions, highlighting the distress caused to both the victim and her children, and sentenced him to imprisonment along with an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim.

Pickford, who had admitted the offences before the trial, expressed remorse and promised not to act violently again, but the judge emphasized the terrifying impact on the victim and her family.