Paramedic horrified by thug's attack on mum (From The Oxford Times)

Paramedic horrified by thug's attack on mum

10:00am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News By Oliver Evans, covering Banbury. Call me on 01865 425271

Daniel Fitzsimons

A YOUNG Oxford mother was beaten so badly she was left with some of the worst injuries ever seen by the paramedic who treated her.

Daniel Fitzsimons, 27, of Nightingale Avenue, Oxford, flew into a rage when he saw the 23-year-old woman sending text messages, a judge heard.

Fitzsimons used “all his force” in an assault that left her with a broken eye socket, cheek bone and nose, as well as multiple bruising.

Her one-year-old daughter and 15-year-old babysitter were present during the violence, which left the infant unable to recognise her.

But she did not tell police after he threatened to kill her and her family and is now too frightened to go out, said prosecutor Giles Curtis-Raleigh.

Judge Ian Pringle said he was “impressed” by a letter from Fitzsimons which expressed “disgust” at his actions but warned he must change.

Fitzsimons admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on the woman and was sentenced to 27 months when he appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday.

The court heard that the pair had had a row at a pub on August 18 but she later invited him to her Oxford home. Mr Curtis told the court Fitzsimons attacked the woman “out of jealousy of her messaging somebody” at 3am, punching her about 10 times so she was “sicking up blood”.

Fitzsimons left but returned at 8.30am and said “he couldn’t believe what he had done” but attacked her again, kicking her in her private parts with his bare feet and “stomping” on her.

This went on “for some hours”, the court heard, and only stopped when a neighbour threatened to call the police.

Mr Curtis said:“She thought about telling the police but he said sorry and he had threatened to kill her, her mother and her little sister if she told police.”

The court heard a paramedic describe it as “one of the worst assaults he had ever seen”, and that the mother now suffers panic attacks and depression.

Mr Curtis added: “She was unable to look after her baby because of her injuries and her baby didn’t even recognise her.

“It is a deliberate targeting of a vulnerable victim.”

The court heard Fitzsimons had nine violence convictions dating back to 1999, including battery and a 2008 rolling pin attack on an ex-partner.

John Reilly, defending said Fitzsimons, said: “He is certainly never to drink again and never to take drugs again but he realises this has ruined his life in the past. He is remorseful.”

Judge Pringle said: “Your letter impressed me, Mr Fitzsimons.

“If you mean what you say and I acknowledge that you do, you are going to be able to turn your life around. If you don’t mean what you say you are going to spend an increasing number of years in prison.”

Dc James Stubbs, said: “I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this case. This was a serious and unprovoked attack.”