A man has been jailed for eight years and five months after he left his ex-partner with life-changing injuries.

Benn Merryweather, 41, from Hemel Hempstead, has also been given a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim again.

At his sentence hearing this week, he was also given an extended licence period of three years, resulting in an overall sentence of 11 years and five months for all offences.

Watford Observer: Benn Merryweather will never be allowed to contact the victim again.Benn Merryweather will never be allowed to contact the victim again. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

He was charged with multiple crimes following the attack on August 27, 2022.

Police attended an address at around 9.30pm, following several calls reporting a disturbance from inside.

Upon police arrival, Merryweather initially failed to respond to officers and open the door.

Once officers gained entry, a woman was found semi-unconscious in the hallway with what appeared to be a serious head injury.

Merryweather was arrested at the scene while the victim received medical assistance. She was transported to hospital where she was placed in an induced coma.

She spent a week in hospital having suffered memory loss and multiple fractures to her eye socket, cheekbone, ribs, and spine.

It was discovered on CCTV earlier that same evening Merryweather and the victim were walking down a local high street before he swiped her legs from behind and left her lying on the ground.

Merryweather was charged with Section 18 GBH, assault by beating and coercive and controlling behaviour.

He admitted assault by beating, which related to the incident earlier in the evening, but denied all other charges.

Following a two-week trial at Luton Crown Court, Merryweather was found guilty of Section 18 GBH on Tuesday, June 20, but not guilty of coercive and controlling behaviour.

DCI Andrea Dalton, from the domestic abuse investigation and safeguarding unit, said: “This was a challenging and complex investigation for our team.

“Upon arrest, Merryweather absolved all responsibility of the GBH assault and maintained that the victim had fallen down the stairs.

“He also failed to provide any further account of what happened. As a result of this traumatic and violent assault, the victim also had no recollection of the incident.”

The judge commended the victim and her family for their bravery throughout the trial.