குடிப்பழக்கத்தை விட முஸ்லீமானவர் மனைவியை அடி உதை

உடல் ஊனமுற்ற மனைவியை அடித்து உதைத்து ரத்தகளரியாக்கியவர் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டார். இவர் தனது குடிப்பழக்கத்தை விடுவதற்காக முஸ்லீமாக ஆனவராம்.

Disabled woman viciously beaten by husband
By Wendy Barlow

A MAN who subjected his disabled wife to a violent beating which left their bedroom blood splattered has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Adam Stephenson, 37, had repeatedly punched and kicked victim Samantha Smith on two occasions within four days but claimed to still love her.

Miss Smith escaped and went to hospital after the second beating and it was only because medics alerted police the violence came to light.

Stephenson, of Cronkshaw Street, Burnley, said to have converted to Islam in a bid to beat drink, admitted wounding on May 12 and assault causing actual bodily harm on May 16. He was also given two and a half years extended licence.

Judge Beverley Lunt said Stephenson posed a significant danger of causing serious harm to the public, in particular to anyone with whom he might have a relationship.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Miss Smith had cerebral palsy, speech difficulties and was vulnerable. She started a relationship with the defendant last December and they married in a Muslim ceremony.

There had been previous incidents of violence before the two attacks and Miss Smith had been told to explain bruises away as being caused when she had an epileptic fit.

Miss Statham said on May 12, Miss Smith had gone out to buy Stephenson's vodka. When she returned, he went ballistic, hit her with a wooden stick and cut her head.

Four days later she again went out for his drink, the pair got in bed about midnight and for no reason the defendant started to attack her.

Miss Smith was repeatedly punched to the face, kicked in the back and her hair was pulled with such force the existing wound opened up. Stephenson tried to put her hands around Miss Smith's throat so she could not breathe, threw her to the floor, pinned her down, banged her head and kicked her.

Miss Statham said the victim got back into bed but Stephenson continued the onslaught for several minutes.

The court was told when Stephenson felt asleep at about 8am, the victim took a bus to the hospital. She had stitches to her head and hospital staff called the police.

Judith McCullough, defending, said Stephenson was horrified by what he had done.

The barrister added: "He married this lady out of very real love for her.He was aware of the difficulties she has had and he wanted to be with her, to care for her and to look after her."

4:04pm Sunday 5th August 2007