JAKE NOTMAN'S HORRIFIC ATTACK IN TAMWORTH LEADS TO OVER EIGHT YEARS BEHIND BARS

In a tragic and disturbing incident that unfolded in Tamworth, a man named Jake Notman was sentenced to a lengthy prison term exceeding eight years for a brutal assault that resulted in the death of his girlfriend, Lauren Bloomer. The events took place in their shared residence in Staffordshire in November 2020, a period marked by chaos and violence fueled by Notman's mental state.

According to court proceedings, Notman, aged 27 at the time, launched a violent attack on Ms. Bloomer, 25, who was at home studying amidst the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. The assault was particularly savage, with Ms. Bloomer being stabbed more than 30 times and ultimately dying from her injuries. The court heard that the attack was triggered during a psychotic episode, which prosecutors linked to the effects of a cannabis-infused brownie that Notman had consumed earlier.

During the trial at Stafford Crown Court, the jury found Notman not guilty of murder but accepted his plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The court was informed that his mental state was severely compromised, with psychiatric evaluations indicating that the influence of the cannabis had impaired his ability to distinguish reality from delusions. Mrs. Justice May, presiding over the case, sentenced Notman to a term of eight years and eight months in prison. She described the killing as occurring 'in the most unexpected and frightful way,' emphasizing the tragic and unpredictable nature of the incident.

The court also acknowledged that Notman's psychotic episode was at least partly induced by the cannabis he had ingested. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Ms. Bloomer had been studying at her home when the attack occurred. She had attempted to document her concerns by recording her phone, seeking advice about her boyfriend’s 'bad weed trip' before he became aggressive. The recordings captured her screams and, shortly afterward, Notman’s voice saying, 'I am going to make sure,' followed by the sound of a revving engine and a loud thud.

Neighbors in the area witnessed Notman running over her body but did not intervene to help her. Instead, he called emergency services, confessing that he had killed his girlfriend. During police interviews, Notman chose not to comment but claimed that the cannabis brownie he consumed might have been laced with something other than cannabis, suggesting he was not fully in control of his actions.

Prosecutors argued that Notman had intended to kill Ms. Bloomer, but psychiatric assessments supported the plea of manslaughter due to his impaired mental state. The family of Lauren Bloomer expressed their profound grief, stating, 'nothing can bring Lauren back to us or compensate for the heartache we feel.' The case highlighted the significant impact that substance-induced psychosis can have on individuals and underscored the challenges in prosecuting such cases, especially when mental health issues are involved. Ultimately, the court’s decision reflected the complex interplay between mental health and criminal responsibility, leading to a sentence that aims to balance justice with understanding of Notman’s condition.