A MAN who attacked his girlfriend in a blind fury while she was half-asleep in bed at her Carlisle home has been jailed for 18 months.
David Neil Parkin, 40, was initially involved in a jealous row with his then-partner, who went to bed after he left her property but woke to find he had returned during the early hours of September 18.
Parkin pushed her down on to the bed and tried to strangle her before delivering “bat after bat” with his fist to her head. She realised that as Parkin was doing so, he was wielding a weapon between his fingers. This was a pair of small nail scissors, one blade of which was later found detached and bent on the floor.
After the bloodied woman blanked out having suffered injuries to her head and arm, Parkin continued his attack by putting his arm across her throat, Carlisle Crown Court heard this afternoon (THURS). As she stated “you are going to kill me”, he replied: “I know I am.”
“She describes the demeanour of Mr Parkin during the assault as evil, emotionless, no care in the world and out of control,” said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson. “Every time she (now) looks in the mirror she notices the scars. That makes her upset again.”
As the attack ended, Parkin apologised, called the emergency services and waited for the police to arrest him.
After he admitted an actual bodily harm assault, Judge Julie Clemitson heard how Parkin, of School Road, Carlisle, had turned his life around after a troubled upbringing and against a difficult background. He had put earlier offending behind him, secured a well-paid job and latterly been taking steps to address a “dip in mental health”.
“He has been remorseful ever since this incident occurred,” his barrister, Jane Foley, confirmed.
But despite hearing mitigation and reading positive character references, Judge Clemitson concluded only an immediate jail term was warranted.
“She describes in a statement you have destroyed the life she once had,” said Judge Clemitson of the victim. “That would appear to be a fairly accurate description of what you did.”
Parkin was banned from contacting the woman for five years.
