Man's sustained attack at Cleethorpes holiday park left partner with fractures to face

A WOMAN felt like "she was going to die" during a brutal assault at a Cleethorpes holiday park.

Billy Metcalfe, 28, subjected his then partner to a "sustained attack" leaving her with a fractured cheekbone and eye socket.

Helen Whitelam's injuries were so serious she required metal plates to be inserted after Metcalfe punched her seven times to the face.

Metcalfe was sentenced to 28 months custody, having pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

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Stephen Welch, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court, the pair were visiting Metcalfe's mother's caravan in Cleethorpes in September.

On September 10, the couple went out in the resort with friends where they visited four pubs.

When they returned to the caravan they became involved in a "heated discussion" about Miss Whitelam being unfaithful to Metcalfe, whilst he was serving a prison sentence.

Mr Welch said: "He punched her seven times to the left-hand side of the head.

"He then dragged her by the hair to the bathroom and put her under the shower to get the blood off her."

Mr Welch said the defendant was screaming and when Metcalfe's mother arrived, an ambulance was called.

At the hospital, Metcalfe told the complainant she "deserved the beating".

Shortly after, Miss Whitelam informed the hospital staff that Metcalfe was responsible and the police were called.

In a victim impact statement, she said the incident had left her "very shocked, absolutely terrified" and that she "really did feel she was dying".

In police interview, Metcalfe said he had consumed a large amount of alcohol and was unable to recall what happened.

Jack Danaher, mitigating, said Metcalfe's only real mitigation was his early guilty plea, but that he had an "unenviable record".

Mr Danaher said Metcalfe later told police: "If she said I have done it then I must have.

"If I have done this then I deserve to go to prison."

Mr Danaher said he was "absolutely horrified" having seen the injuries Miss Whitelam sustained.

Metcalfe, who lives in Barnsley, was also on police licence when he committed the offence.

Sentencing, Judge David Tremberg, agreed that Metcalfe had an extensive record of previous convictions.

Judge Tremberg said: "At an age when many are growing out of serious offending, yours has been escalating in seriousness.

"These were heavy blows to the face in a sustained attack.

"She will live with the legacy of your temper for the rest of her life."