Woman required life-saving surgery after attack from boyfriend

A brutal punch to the abdomen by Alex Thompson left the victim with internal bleeding, as well as vertebrae fractures after repeated punches and kicks.

The 38-year-old thug – who has a history of attacking previous female partners – then proceeded to violently challenge police who were called to the scene to assist.

He was later arrested and charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to do so, which he was convicted of by a jury after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The defendant appeared back before the same court on Tuesday to be sentenced, appearing via video-link from HM Prison Altcourse.

Summing up evidence given during the trial, judge Andrew Menary spoke of how the victim was Thompson’s then-partner of around 14 months, which ‘like any relationships had its ups and downs’.

On March 31 this year, they went to a pub in Warrington where they had both been drinking.

Afterwards, they went to Thompson’s home on Payne Close in Great Sankey where an argument unfolded, with the defendant going to bed and the victim sleeping on the couch downstairs.

At around 2am, she woke up and, feeling cold, she decided to get in bed with the defendant.

However, as she entered the bedroom, without warning, Thompson launched a ‘vicious’ assault on her, repeatedly punching and kicking her to the head and body.

This violence spilled into the hallway and continued, despite her pleas for him to stop due to her fears that he would kill her.

“You are a powerfully built man who has boxed in the past, and violence like this was bound to cause serious injury,” judge Menary said.

Thompson then proceeded to drag the victim by her hair outside the property, leaving her with a bald patch in the process.

The incident occurred on Payne Close in Great Sankey. Picture: Google Maps

Finally, he delivered a ‘very heavy’ punch to her abdomen, with judge Menary stating it was ‘beggars’ belief’ that Thompson could act in such a way to ‘someone he claimed to have feelings for’.

His actions caused life-threatening injuries including a ruptured vein in her abdomen, requiring urgent surgery after being rushed to Aintree Hospital, and fractures to her lower vertebrae, leaving her with a significant and permanent scar.

Revealing the extent of these injuries months on, Michael Whitty, prosecuting, said that the woman still has ongoing back pain, but that this is slowly improving.

She does however have a large scar from her sternum to her stomach which will be ‘there forever’ following her operation.

“She is self-conscious but has resolved not to let her scar, or the experience that led to it, define her,” he said.

Mitigation was provided by Rachel Oakdene, defending, who highlighted references from the electrical engineer’s parents that ‘speak about him in a positive manner not depicted at trial’.

“He has been in custody since April 3 and has used his time in custody constructively, and he vows he will continue to do so,” she commented.

She conceded this was an ‘extremely unpleasant incident that caused grave injury’, but said that intervention work will be carried out in custody to allay fears in terms of his dangerousness going forwards.

This includes his intention to complete a thinking skills course, anger management and the Building Better Relationships course.

One letter read out in court was from prison officers detailing how he has been working in the prison library, and how staff describe him as ‘polite and helpful with a positive attitude’.

Thompson also wrote a letter to the court himself, in which he firstly apologised to Cheshire Police officers who attended on the night.

On his actions towards the victim, the dad: “I felt distraught after hearing about the injuries I caused.

Alex Thompson was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court

“I loved her, and news of her having an operation was the worst feeling I have ever experienced. I was mortified and riddled with guilt and shame.

“Having seen photos of her injuries, I was disgusted and ashamed. I deeply regret my actions on that night and I hope and pray she is able to move on.”

The letter added that he ‘broke down’ when hearing the news she was home safe, and that he wants to eradicate alcohol from his life.

Before sentencing, judge Menary said: “Your behaviour towards her, your neighbour and police after the attack was disgraceful, particularly to the police caught on body cams showing someone who was just determined to fight and use violence to anyone who seemed to disagree with you.

“The offence is aggravated by your previous convictions for 22 other offences, including to do with former female partners.”

He has two convictions for battery in 2017 and 2021, both involving him losing his temper after an argument, with the former seeing him punch a woman several times to the face and latter involving him violently pushing another woman, causing her to hit her face on a table and suffer injuries.

Judge Menary added: “I am impressed by your letter, which I recognise took some courage to write and read to the court, and I accept now your genuine remorse expressed.

“Plainly there is a good and positive side to you. But there is also a dark and very troubling side to you, perhaps exacerbated while in drink.

“You said you are working to address this side, and I hope this is true.”

He confirmed he was also required to consider the issue of dangerousness, and if Thompson poses a risk of committing further offences with a risk of causing serious harm – something the judge was satisfied he does, meaning the sentence will have extra elements to protect the public.

Taking all into account, Thompson was sentenced to seven years in prison, of which he will serve two thirds before the parole board will decide whether to release him and on what terms.

On his release, he will be subject to a four-year extended licence period, as well an indefinite restraining order not to contact the victim or approach a building in which she is residing.