LIVERPOOL MAN JAILED FOR BRUTAL DOMESTIC ASSAULT, DUE FOR EARLY RELEASE
A man named John Brown, aged 50, was sentenced to nine months in prison on January 13 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault, as well as being handed a two-year restraining order.The incident involved Brown subjecting his then-partner Lisa Gouldson and another woman to a violent attack in a residence in Kirkby on November 3 last year.
During the assault, he repeatedly punched Lisa, leaving her with injuries including broken ribs and multiple missing teeth, and causing her to feel traumatized and unsafe.
Witnesses reported hearing children screaming and crying in the street during the incident, with police attending the scene where Brown became angry and elbowed a family member.
Both women received treatment at Aintree Hospital.
Despite his early release scheduled for February 20, this decision was made less than a month after Brown was sentenced, following recent amendments allowing some prisoners to be released after serving 40% of their sentence, with exceptions for certain violent offenders such as domestic abusers.
Brown has a criminal history comprising 16 convictions for 36 offences, including drug trafficking and assault.
His defense highlighted his struggles with mental health and loss of his mother, who recently passed away while he was on remand.
The court emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence, especially given his pattern of behavior and the presence of children during the attack, with the judge stating: "This is a case where the only way that punishment can be provided is by immediate custody.
The message has to go out to domestic abusers that the court will not tolerate this kind of conduct." The incident and subsequent sentencing have sparked concern from domestic abuse charities and victims about the early release scheme potentially endangering survivors, especially given that some offenders with a history of domestic abuse may be released early even if they are charged with less severe offences.
