A mum feared she would be killed by her ex-boyfriend after he stamped on her head during a vicious attack as she walked through a park with her young daughter.
Phillip Smith attacked Sheryl Lloyd leaving her with multiple injuries, including a fractured nose in May 2019. Images showed the brutal extent of the attack which left her hospitalised overnight.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the 34-year-old had been walking in the Liscard area of the city at around 5.20pm on May 2, 2019 when she heard someone shouting, the ECHO reports.
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She then suffered a sustained attack which the mum said left her fearing for her life. Sheryl previously shared images of her injuries, and said her lip felt like it was "hanging off."
"It has traumatised me. I couldn't catch my breath and I thought I was going to die," she said. Smith, 33, was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE BELOW
Following sentencing, Sheryl said: "All I have to say is that I’m glad it’s all over and that I don’t have to speak about this ever again. I don’t dwell on any of it.
"I keep the faith that things always end up how they should in the end and they have. He is paying for what he done to me and all I look forward to now is a peaceful and happy life with my daughter."
Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Parry called the attack carried out by Smith "cowardly". He said: "This was an horrific and cowardly attack carried out on a woman in the street in broad daylight.
"We welcome the fact Smith will now spend time behind bars, and I hope he will use his time in jail to reflect on the consequences of his actions. The victim was extremely traumatised by the attack.
"She was left with extensive facial injuries and in the longer term, has been left feeling fearful and distressed. I hope Smith’s imprisonment will provide some comfort to his victim."
Det Chief Insp Parry added: "The sentencing shows that we at Merseyside Police won’t hesitate to act to make sure that men such as Smith, who feel it is acceptable to commit such appalling violence against women, are put behind bars.
"Tackling Violence and Intimidation Against Women and Girls is a clear, immediate priority for us as a Force. As well as working tirelessly to target perpetrators, we are also focussed on ensuring we provide support for victims throughout the criminal justice process, promoting trust and confidence in the reporting process and focussing on evidence-led prosecutions where possible.
"We are committed and continue to proactively work hard with our partners across Merseyside to make sure that public spaces are safe for women and girls, as well as support those who are faced with violence and sexual abuse."
Smith was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for assault of a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm and given a five-year restraining order. At the same hearing, he was also sentenced to six months for wounding and grievous bodily harm without intent for a separate incident to be served consecutively.
Anyone with information on domestic abuse can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or @CrimestoppersUK, anonymously on 0800 555 111. If someone is in immediate danger they should dial 999 and speak to an operator but we also accept that openly speaking is not always an option.
The Silent Solution is a service which means a vulnerable person can call 999 and alert us, by pressing ’55’ and coughing or tapping the handset. This will indicate that help is needed and we will respond.
