JOSEPH ROBINSON FROM WIRRAL SENTENCED AFTER BRUTAL ATTACKS ON PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND IN LIVERPOOL AND BIRKENHEAD

In April 2021, a disturbing series of violent incidents involving Joseph Robinson, a man from Wirral, came to light during court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court. Robinson, aged 29, was accused of inflicting severe harm on his pregnant girlfriend, who was four months pregnant at the time, and of engaging in a pattern of aggressive and violent behavior that spanned several months and multiple locations, including Birkenhead and Liverpool.

One of the most serious allegations involved Robinson physically assaulting his partner by punching her in the face, resulting in a broken nose. The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has been left with ongoing health issues, including difficulty breathing, as she is unable to seek treatment until after her baby is born. The court heard that her injuries were not only physical but also emotional, with her describing feelings of extreme anxiety and a sense of insecurity following the assaults.

Robinson’s violent conduct was detailed through a series of incidents. Prosecutor Andrew Jebb explained that there were three main episodes involving the woman, occurring on August 15, November 10, and November 23 of the previous year. The earliest incident took place in Birkenhead, where the woman was living at a YMCA. According to her account, she left with Robinson around 10 pm, and during an argument, he suddenly dragged her along the ground, causing her head to make sharp contact with the pavement. Although it was not believed that Robinson intentionally banged her head, he continued to pull her along before she managed to free herself.

Further disturbing details emerged when the court was told that Robinson bit the woman on her nose during this altercation, an act that Robinson did not accept. After the incident, she ran back to the YMCA, where staff member Andrew Copeland confronted Robinson. In response, Robinson became aggressive, smashing a perspex screen, which cracked and fell onto Mr. Copeland’s arm, causing injury. The court also heard that during another incident at the YMCA, Robinson threatened the woman over the phone, demanding money and warning he would cause trouble for her.

On November 10, Robinson managed to sneak into the woman’s accommodation after two other individuals left. He approached her while she was on her own, and she had to be shielded by Mr. Copeland to prevent him from reaching her. During this confrontation, Robinson shouted threats, demanding his money and warning he would harm her. He then kicked a door before leaving the scene, only to be arrested shortly afterward. At this point, the woman did not support pressing charges, as she was pregnant and hoped to reconcile with Robinson.

The most serious assault occurred on November 23, when Robinson waited for the woman outside her friend’s house, despite being on bail for previous offences with a condition not to contact her. She was approximately 17 weeks pregnant at the time. When she left her friend’s residence and was walking home alone, Robinson approached her and began arguing. During this altercation, he threatened to have her unborn child taken away and struck her with a bag of washing, hitting her on the head. She responded by slapping him, which led Robinson to punch her in the nose, causing bleeding and swelling. He then made a disturbing remark, saying, “look what you have made me do, I’ll go back to prison for this.”

Following the attack, the woman was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital, where she was treated for bruising, swelling, and a broken nose. Her injuries included bruising beneath her left eye, swelling to her lip, and bruising under her right eye. Due to the nasal deviation caused by the injury, she required medical treatment, which had to be postponed until after her delivery. Medical professionals indicated that if her injuries do not heal properly, she might need reconstructive rhinoplasty.

The victim described feeling overwhelmed by the trauma, stating she had been left with “extreme anxiety” and was only beginning to feel safe after moving to a new home. She also reported experiencing difficulty breathing at night, which she attributed to her injuries.

Robinson’s criminal history is extensive, with 21 previous convictions for 34 offences, many of which involved violence against former partners. Notably, in March 2015, he was sentenced to six months in prison after kicking his then-partner in the face. In April 2017, he received a 32-month sentence for wounding an ex-girlfriend, after grabbing her around the throat and striking her with a curtain pole, which broke her jaw. Court records reveal that at least one child was present during that attack.

Robinson, formerly residing on Manor Road, Liscard, Wirral, admitted to two counts of common assault, using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Judge David Potter emphasized the vulnerability of the victim, especially given her pregnancy, and highlighted Robinson’s history of serious violence against women. He sentenced Robinson to a term of one year and seven months in prison and imposed a seven-year restraining order to prevent any further contact with the victim.

Overall, the case underscores the ongoing danger posed by Robinson and the serious consequences of his violent actions, which have left a woman and her unborn child in a state of physical and emotional distress.