Oldham man climbed through sleeping ex's bedroom window to attack her

Ryan Kearney had been in a relationship with his victim for only a few months when his behaviour began to concern her, and the pair split up, a court heard on Friday (January 9).

The 31-year-old continued to text her and, one evening, began making threats that he would go to her home.

At a sentencing hearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, the court heard how the woman had believed him to be 'all talk', and had simply gone to bed.

Due to some hot weather at the time, she had left her bedroom window open.

The court heard the woman awoke to Kearney standing above her and repeatedly punching her in the face.

Kearney, formerly of Chamber Road, Shaw, had also brought a knuckle duster to the address, though the court could not be certain it had been used.

The woman had a young child, who woke up due to the sound of the assault, and walked into their mother's room.

The court heard the child screamed, "Get off my mummy", but Kearney continued the assault.

The woman told her child to 'run', and they left the address screaming, which alerted neighbours.

Neighbours, who called the police, said the woman ran from the property 'with her hair and face covered in blood' and was slipping in and out of consciousness.

A neighbour told police the woman said she had told Kearney: "If you're going to kill me, do it quietly while my child isn't here."

After being taken to the hospital by paramedics, the woman had to have a cut glued shut, which has left a 'visible scar'.

When Kearney was arrested, he initially tried to claim that the woman had assaulted him.

Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Jenny Lester-Ashworth, told him: "This account is plainly inconsistent and a complete lie.

"You sensibly no longer maintain it."

Kearney initially pleaded not guilty and was due to stand trial later this month, but admitted to the 'brutal attack' late last year.

Sentencing Kearney, Judge Lester Ashworth said: "Every woman and child should feel safe in their own home.

"You took that away from them in the most violent and brutal way.

"There was a significant degree of premeditation; you took a weapon with you.

"There is no doubt that the victim was vulnerable; she was asleep in bed, and you attacked her unexpectedly and while she was lying down, unable to defend herself."

The judge explained that while the probation service stated Kearney's risk 'could be managed in the community' and that this provides a 'realistic chance of rehabilitation', that is 'not the only aim of custody'.

She told him that the crime's severity called for punishment, and said: "In my judgement, punishment can only be achieved by an immediate custodial sentence."

Judge Lester-Ashworth sentenced Kearney to 24 months in prison for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and applied a 10-year restraining order to his victim.

A charge of intentional strangulation will lie on his file.