A man in Grimsby, identified as Brandon Fitzgerald, has been found guilty of assaulting his pregnant partner and making threats towards her unborn child. The violent incidents occurred between September and February, during which Fitzgerald subjected his girlfriend to physical abuse and intimidation.
Fitzgerald admitted to five charges in Grimsby Crown Court, including coercive behavior, assault causing bodily harm, and intentional strangulation. His ex-partner described him as a “monster” in a statement, expressing her inability to escape the abusive situation.
According to the prosecution, Matthew Moore-Taylor, Fitzgerald’s violent behavior escalated during a trip in February, where he physically assaulted the victim in a hotel room. The victim later experienced bleeding during a car journey but did not seek medical help out of fear of revealing the cause of her injuries.
During another trip in early February, Fitzgerald punched his partner multiple times and attempted to harm her unborn child. The victim managed to escape to a nearby restaurant, where she sought medical assistance for her injuries, including broken bones and a broken tooth. Medical professionals noted that her injuries were severe, indicating a case of domestic abuse.
Tragically, the victim suffered a miscarriage following these violent incidents, although there was no evidence linking Fitzgerald directly to the loss. Despite denying the assaults upon his arrest, Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to the charges. The court sentenced him to four years and six months in prison and imposed a restraining order preventing any contact with the victim.
The victim, escorted by friends and support services, thanked the judge as she left the courtroom. For confidential support related to domestic abuse, individuals can contact the National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline or visit specified websites for further assistance.