Meir Park mechanic Lee Birks attacked partner while kids were in the bath
MECHANIC Lee Birks has been locked up after subjecting his partner to a brutal attack – while her two young children were in the bath.
The jealous 27-year-old battered girlfriend Natalie Ranson after she asked him to leave her Werrington home following a row.
Now Birks, who head-butted and punched the mother-of-two, has been jailed for 18 months.
His sentence comes as new figures show domestic violence is on the increase across North Staffordshire.
8kg 1400 spin A+++ rated washer
with a full 6 year warranty - yes SIX years
delivered FAST & FREE
was OVER £600 - For a limited time ONLY £449.90
Amazing value!!!
Terms:
8kg 1400 spin A+++ rated washer
with a full 6 year warranty - yes SIX years
delivered FAST & FREE
was OVER £600 - For a limited time ONLY £449.90
Amazing value!!!
Contact: 01782 342609
Valid until: Saturday, June 01 2013
Natalie, aged 33, who has had to undergo surgery on her nose, today described a sense of relief after her 'terrifying ordeal' came to an end.
The full-time mum said: "I have got my closure now. He put me through absolute hell that night.
"My kids were in the bath and all I could think about was getting to them and making sure they were okay.
"I am still suffering because I need surgery on my nose to replace the cartilage that was damaged. I am getting on with my life now."
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the couple had previously been together but split in 2009 after Birks assaulted her. They rekindled their relationship after meeting by chance earlier this year. But Birks became angry at Miss Ranson's home on May 17 and she asked him to leave.
But Birks took hold of her laptop, threw it and stamped on it, before chucking a glass against a kitchen wall.
Miss Ranson followed him and fell downstairs. But she got up and went to her bedroom where Birks damaged her television before head-butting her in the face twice, causing her nose to bleed heavily. He then punched her in the eye.
Her children, aged four and 18 months, were upset, the court heard. Birks, of Falcon Road, Meir Park, denied any violence but was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage after a trial.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said Birks does not accept the jury's findings. He urged Judge Paul Glenn to pass a suspended sentence, saying the assault was not premeditated and there would be no repeat offending.
But the judge said he had no hesitation in jailing Birks for 18 months. He also made a three-year restraining order preventing the thug from contacting Miss Ranson.
Judge Glenn said: "You had been in a relationship from 2008. She described you as jealous and possessive during that relationship, which ended following you assaulting her in 2009. You met again by chance and resumed a relationship. You had assured her you had changed.
"On May 17 you argued, it was about one of her ex-partners and Facebook contact she allegedly had with someone you knew. You had drunk alcohol and became increasingly angry and ignored a request to leave.
"This young lady was a vulnerable victim, a single mother. Her injuries were unpleasant. It was a repeated assault. When you head-butt people, that equates to using a weapon. The aggravating features are a conviction for a previous assault on the same victim and the presence of two young children."
Comments
by shotgun_tez
Saturday, December 29 2012, 8:44AM
“that did make me snigger meir park royal bentilee :)”
by selina_kaci
Thursday, December 13 2012, 11:46AM
“as if hes refusing eat lol well i hope he is having it hard in there he deserves everything he gets!”
by youhaving
Monday, December 10 2012, 6:54PM
“ha ha guess what, hes on protection and refusing to eat in dovegate.... big hard man”
by semis
Sunday, December 09 2012, 1:59AM
“Personally I feel that 18 month sentence (9 months served) is not enough. The guy is a woman beater and coward. Lee Birks, how about taking on a man instead of a woman. Meet me any time any where and we will see what sort of man you are you piece of s***t. I will knock seven barrels out of you.”
by DoctorDo
Friday, December 07 2012, 9:29AM
“@BAMStoker
"Why do women go back to men who have already hit them.. Why cant they see that once man hits a woman, he will always hit women.
Don't listen to their promises, no matter how convincing they may seem, words are easy.
Most men have been driven to distraction by a partner.. and have boiled with anger.. However, I and many more have never lifted a finger to them and this is what makes them men.
If a man has hit you once he will hit you again... full stop."'
I couldn't have put it better myself. I've been married for 25 years and never once raised a hand to my wife. Trust me, she could make Jesus lose His temper; but real men don't hit women.
As for his defence counsel saying 'there would be no repeat offending.' What rubbish. He's already a repeat offender with Miss Ranson and he'll do it again with the next poor female who gets involved with him.
Men like him can't help it, they're instinctively violent toward women.”
by hteethhte
Friday, December 07 2012, 12:09AM
“Should have got longer.
Should have been caned.”
by SmellySock
Thursday, December 06 2012, 11:17PM
“going by the still outside court , he looks proud of himself, these type of cowards give good men a bad name, also his defense team wanted a suspended sentence look at her face! no morals at all quite an incredible statement,, saying that its just a case to them battered & bruised,murdered,raped,it means nothing to a lawyer at all & shame on them..”
by Jobeeone
Thursday, December 06 2012, 8:21PM
“Its not just a person weaker physically than yourself but someone who loves you and is wanting to protect their children. I used to try and fight back against my stepdad as a child and if anyone attacked me now I'd give it a good old go but I just don't poccess that sort of anger anymore.
Those kids will never forget that violence. When you have seen your mum bleeding, pleading for your safety and so scared. It changes everything even if it only happens once.
Violence does not stop violence. Said stepdad was beaten by his dad. I still want to punch the **** out of certain people but never would.
I hope Natilee can move forward and the children. Children grow up and move on. My mum is still with the man who beat her, called his own daughter it and sexually abused me. A life not really lived. As for all this male posturing about prison. Lessons are never taught in fists and thankfuuly it very often leads to the loss of liberty.”
by johnwhite18
Thursday, December 06 2012, 7:57PM
“Beating a girl up what a prize guy he is but good result in the courts at last”
by lanternhead
Thursday, December 06 2012, 5:12PM
“meir park posh??????????????????????????????????, the police call it royal bentilee.”