2008: MAN PUSHED EX GIRLFRIEND OFF BALCONY
A man who pushed an 18-year-old onto concrete from a second-floor balcony in a fit of rage following the end of a relationship has been dubbed “a public danger”.Gavin Patton forcefully entered the apartment he had shared with his former girlfriend, Ellie Hancox, during a party she was hosting.
Witnesses reported that guests fled in horror onto the balcony of the property on Lyttleton Avenue, Bromsgrove.
As 18-year-old Jimmy Barrett tried to escape to another flat, Patton pushed him off a parapet.
According to Worcester Crown Court, Patton also pried Barrett's fingers loose as he clung on, resulting in the young man falling onto the hard surface below.
The fall caused severe injuries, including the fracture of his foot, and it is believed he may have a lifelong limp.
Prosecutor Tim Sapwell indicated that this significant injury could jeopardize Barrett’s prospects of joining the army.
In an unrelated event, Patton had previously brandished two knives at police officers during an earlier disturbance, which led to armed police needing to intervene before he surrendered.
The 29-year-old, living on Hanbury Road, Bromsgrove, was convicted earlier this month by a jury of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to Mr.
Barrett.
Additionally, he admitted to charges of affray, common assault on Miss Hancox, and criminal damage.
Recorder Roger Freeman sentenced Patton to four and a half years in prison, stating, “You ran wild and caused Mr.
Barrett a serious injury.
You are a danger to the public.” His license will be extended by three years upon release.
On December 23 of the previous year, police responded to a distressing phone call from a relative of Miss Hancox, which indicated Patton was intoxicated.
During this encounter, Patton threatened police with knives, warning, “If you come up here I will stab you in the head.
I will slice your heads off,” and threw a beer glass at officers seeking cover behind their patrol vehicle.
Negotiations were then carried out by an inspector.
Just two days after breaking up with Miss Hancox, Patton, who was intoxicated at the time, entered the party uninvited and assaulted her.
The incident led to Barrett falling from the balcony; he has since suffered ongoing pain, requiring surgical pins to stabilize his bones.
The impact has left him emotionally distressed, and he has expressed fears about the potential lethality of the incident.
Public defender Jason Aris highlighted that Patton, a father of two with 72 previous offences, including assault, was under considerable stress due to unemployment and alcohol issues.
He suggested that the culmination of these pressures, along with a threatening message about his clothing after a tumultuous relationship, provoked Patton’s violent actions.
