FOUR YEARS’ JAIL FOR THUG WHO KNOCKED WOMAN UNCONSCIOUS AND THEN TRIED TO CONVINCE HER SHE’D FALLEN DOWN STAIRS
Ex-soldier with PTSD left partner with brain injury that ended her career
A SOLDIER was left with serious brain injuries after being knocked unconscious during a row with her partner at RAF Valley on Anglesey.
Michael Mcclarence caused his partner such bad injuries that her Army career is now over.
The “jealous” 36-year-old was convicted of wounding by inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent against Jessica Connolly after a trial.
A judge jailed him last week for four years.
Caernarfon Crown Court heard Ms Connolly suffered a fractured skull and brain injuries which gave her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Former soldier Mcclarence also has PTSD himself from serving in Afghanistan, the court heard.
The court heard Ms Connolly worked at RAF Valley and she and Mcclarence had a “long argument” there on March 23, 2022.
He was jealous and believed she was seeing someone else.
Mcclarence followed her to her quarters, where the argument continued.
She tried to leave, but he prevented her and “lobbed” her towards a door. She hit her head against a sink and fell unconscious.
He then started “gaslighting” her about what happened, pretending she had tripped and fallen down stairs.
He also persuaded her not to seek treatment, but it later transpired she had a fractured skull, brain injuries and PTSD as a result of the assault, the court heard.
In a statement, she said she believed she would die from her injuries.
She spent two weeks in hospital in Stoke, where she learned to walk properly again, before being transferred to a military hospital until April 2023.
She has lost hearing in her left ear and has had speech therapy and treatment from a neuropsychologist.
She said “life’s simple pleasures have been taken away”. She is sensitive to light and can’t drive in the dark. The thought of seeing Mcclarence again makes her feel physically sick and full of fear.
Prosecutor Simon Mintz said Ms Connolly is at risk of developing post-traumatic epilepsy and she has been barred from driving a car for a minimum of six months.
She is also set to be medically discharged from the army next month as a result of her injuries.
Her head injury will likely limit her options for work in civilian life too, he added.
James Coutts, defending, said his client accepts he will receive a custodial sentence. .
He said: “There was a significant element of recklessness as opposed to a deliberate attempt to inflict serious injury.”
Mr Coutts said Mcclarence is an enhanced prisoner on remand and a “source of guidance” to other inmates and he looks forward to seeing his daughter on his release.
The judge, His Honour Timothy
Petts, told the defendant his victim had been knocked unconscious and he had gaslighted her about the cause.
Leaving her job in the army due to her injuries would be a “real blow”.
He noted that Mcclarence himself had undiagnosed PTSD at the time of the attack, from sights he had seen while serving in Afghanistan.
He has since been diagnosed and has had some treatment for it in custody.
Jailing the defendant, of Portugal Street, Bolton, the judge also made a restraining order preventing him from seeing his now ex-partner Ms Connolly for life.
North Wales Police welcomed the outcome. Detective Constable Meinir Jones said: “It is our priority to tackle all reports of violence against women and we will continue to bring offenders to justice.
“I welcome the court’s verdict today which follows a lengthy and difficult investigation into an incident which has left the victim with life changing injuries. Her bravery throughout this investigation should be commended.
“I would urge anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse or violence to report it to us or reach out to a support agency.
“We will listen to you and investigate any report fully.”
WHEN the controversial 20mph default limit was rolled out last autumn it was done so with a couple of caveats. So as not to have a ticketing blitz in the first few weeks and months there was a grace period.
This saw two things done.
Firstly the threshold for being prosecuted was temporarily set at 26mph - higher than usual criteria of 10% plus 2mph which applies to other limits.
There was also a move to educate rather than prosecute in the newly designed 20mph areas the only exception being if motorists were deemed to be driving dangerously.
That changed this month with enforcement starting to roll out at a number of new 20mph sites.
The Mail’s sister paper The Daily Post contacted Gosafe - who handle speed enforcement - to see if the 26mph threshold was changing to the standard 24mph.
They have confirmed that it will remain for the time-being with 10% plus 4mph before fines and points are handed out. They said any change would be announced on their website.
Assistant Chief Constable Trudi Meyrick, roads policing lead for Wales, said: “Introducing enforcement in new 20mph areas is the next step of our engagementled approach.
“We have continued to review driver behaviour and the response to the change in default speed limit, whilst engaging with communities across Wales with Operation Ugain [named for the traditional Welsh word for 20].
“Enforcement will be used proportionately and fairly.
“We’ll continue to engage with people across Wales and we’re confident that a proportionate level of enforcement can now be used to keep us moving towards achieving safer roads.”
● The North Wales new roads that can be covered by enforcement officers are all on Anglesey: A5108
Moelfre, A5025 Llanfaethlu and A5025 Benllech.