Barry Edwards jailed for sustained assault and threatening to kill

Barry Edwards

Barry Edwards (19/01/1970), of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to section 18 assault, two counts of false imprisonment and two counts of threats to kill at an earlier hearing.

He was sentenced today, Thursday 20 November 2014, at Minshull Street Crown Court to 16 years extended sentence in prison.

On Wednesday 29 May 2013, Edwards subjected his victim to a sustained assault at his Whitehall Street home in Rochdale that lasted nine hours.

During this time, she was punched in the face and repeatedly hit with a baseball bat to the body and legs.

He demanded she faced the bedroom wall and placed a piece of card between the wall and her nose. He said if the card dropped to the floor or her hands dropped below her head, he would hit her. When she tired and lowered her hands, Edwards struck her with the bat.

During other assaults, she was kicked down the stairs, had boiling water poured on her, had her hair singed and had her nose, face and other parts of her body slashed with a razor blade.

Edwards also forced her into a cubby hole in the bedroom and told her to stay in for an hour before throwing metal dumb bells at her when she came out. The force of this broke her arm as she tried to protect herself.

He also wrapped sellotape tightly round her neck and wrists before hitting her when she tried to break free.

Police were called when shouting was heard and Edwards was arrested.

Detective Constable Russ Clarke said: “This is one of the most horrendous incidents of domestic abuse I have ever dealt with, leaving the 25-year-old woman with terrible lifelong injuries. During the nine hour attack, she suffered a fractured rib, fractured finger, punctured lung as well as lacerations to her face and body and severely bruised legs.

“The attack was not only violent but degrading to the woman, which Edwards clearly enjoyed. He continuously made demands, instructing her to do things that made him feel powerful and simultaneously frightened her. He knew she would not be able to carry out what he asked and took pleasure from torturing her.

"From the beginning of this investigation I have been humbled by the bravery and the courage shown by the victim after what was a truly horrific, life changing ordeal. She had suffered at the hands of Edwards for many years and without her courage we would not have been able to get justice for her. It is also my firm view that without a diligent member of the public contacting the police; it is likely this woman would have lost her life.

“I hope this case shows others who may be suffering from domestic abuse that speaking up is the best thing you can do. Specially-trained officers will support you and put you in touch with a wide variety of other agencies who can help you get through a traumatic experience.

“Nobody should suffer at the hands of a violent partner and we will do everything we can to protect victims of domestic abuse and send the perpetrators to jail."