LEE GAFFNEY FROM STOKE-ON-TRENT SENTENCED AFTER VIOLENT ATTACKS ON EX-GIRLFRIEND DURING BLACKPOOL ROAD TRIP

Lee Gaffney, a 31-year-old man from Macclesfield Street in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, has been sentenced to a total of 22 months in prison following a series of brutal assaults on his former partner during a distressing journey to Blackpool. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of violence, harassment, and reckless behavior that culminated in Gaffney’s arrest in Blackpool.

Gaffney was found guilty of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, breaching a non-molestation order, and several related offenses. The court heard that he had previously violated a restraining order obtained by his ex-girlfriend in August 2019, which was intended to prevent any contact until October of that year. Despite this legal restriction, Gaffney unlawfully visited her residence on April 15, and what followed was a harrowing ordeal lasting approximately 16 hours.

During this period, Gaffney subjected his ex to physical violence and emotional harassment. Prosecutor Hugh O'Brien Quinn detailed that Gaffney assaulted her by hitting her in the face, spitting at her, and squeezing her neck in a display of aggression. The victim recounted that Gaffney had grabbed her and pushed her onto the bed, demanding she admit to lying about her whereabouts. The violence escalated when he punched her, causing a split lip that resulted in blood splattering onto the bedding and wall, illustrating the severity of the attack.

The violence did not cease there. Gaffney then took his victim on a drive along the Lancashire coast, during which he consumed alcohol and continued his assault. Witnesses observed him punching and spitting in her face, choking her, and throwing cans of beer at her. His behavior was increasingly erratic and aggressive, with him demanding to know if she had been unfaithful, which triggered further violence.

At one point, Gaffney drove her to his mother’s house, only to find her absent. He then took her to Warrington, where he used her bank card to purchase more alcohol. The victim’s father had already reported her missing, which contributed to the police locating Gaffney. Officers stopped the vehicle behind a hotel in Blackpool, where Gaffney refused to undergo a breath test and was subsequently taken into custody. His criminal record includes previous breaches of restraining orders and other offenses, highlighting a pattern of violent and unlawful behavior.

Judge David Fletcher emphasized that Gaffney had exerted control over his victim through violence and reckless driving while disqualified. The court noted that alcohol played a significant role in his conduct, and he was banned from driving for nearly four years. During the sentencing, Gaffney expressed remorse, acknowledging that alcohol was a catalyst for his actions and claiming that he believed his ex-partner had manipulated him emotionally.

Ultimately, the court sentenced Gaffney to 18 months for the assaults and breach of the non-molestation order, with an additional four months for the driving offenses. This brought his total prison term to 22 months. He was also disqualified from driving for 3 years and 11 months, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the court’s efforts to protect his victim from further harm.