Man who tried to kill partner jailed for 23 years

A man who repeatedly kicked his partner in the head as she lay unconscious on the floor has been jailed for 23 years.

Benjamin Swindells, 30, attacked his then-girlfriend Sophie Conroy in the early hours of 13 April outside the Tesco Express in Barnsley Road, Wakefield.

During his trial, jurors heard how he had kicked her "like a football" and left a boot print on her face after stamping on her head.

Swindells, of no fixed abode, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court after being found guilty of attempted murder.

Passing sentence Judge Howard Crowson told Swindells: "You are a dangerous offender at risk of causing harm to the public."

He said Swindells had "stamped so hard" on Ms Conroy's face "there was a visible boot print" and she had to be helped to breathe.

During the trial, Richard Arkless said he had seen Swindells "take a kick at her head as if she were a football", saying he could "hear the crack of her head bouncing on the pavement".

He told jurors he "didn't think she was going to come out the other side".

Witnesses also described how Swindells paused partway through the attack to smoke a cigarette.

Police body-worn video footage played in court showed Swindells screaming at arresting officers to "kill him".

Ms Conroy spent more than a week in hospital after the attack, where she was treated for large-scale swelling to the head and significant facial injuries.

Judge Crowson said she now had "a deep mistrust of people and a lack of confidence, and severe anxiety".

As well as the 23 year prison sentence, Swindells was told he would spend an extra four years on licence following his release and made the subject of a life-long restraining order.

At his trial in October the court was told he had a previous conviction for battery against another former partner in 2019 and had attacked Ms Conroy prior to the 13 April incident.

Acting Det Sgt Andrew Jones of West Yorkshire Police said: "Swindells is a dangerous individual who has demonstrated that he is willing to use extreme violence in a domestic relationship.

"This was a sustained attack on a female victim which continued as she lay unconscious on the floor.

"Swindells initially tried to blame others for the assault but has since admitted causing these horrific injuries.

"Eight months on the victim is left with physical and psychological damage from this attack.

"I hope the conclusion of this court case helps her in her ongoing processing and recovery from this incident."

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