Quigley trapped girl and tried to stab her
SPEAKING during sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Neil Flewitt, QC said Miss Shearer was ‘trapped’ as Ryan Quigley carried out his vicious attack.
Judge Flewitt told Quigley: “She was a young woman with responsibility for a child who she could not desert to protect herself. She was in that sense trapped.
“You armed yourself with a knife and you wore gloves. There is clearly a significant degree of premeditation.
“Your intention was to permanently disfigure her and to make her less attractive to others.
“That is an appalling thing to do to a young and innocent woman.”
The court heard the couple had the child in July last year, but their two-year relationship came to an end in October.
Quigley had hit Miss Shearer in the past but became more controlling and bombarded her with messages on social media.
Ben Jones, prosecuting, said Quigley continued to post photos of them together and refused to accept the relationship was over.
Despite her concerns, Miss Shearer allowed him to see their son and agreed to meet him at Asda in Southport on March 4. She noticed he was quiet and unusually wearing gloves, as she pushed her pram towards the Promenade, at 11.30am.
Quigley tried to persuade her to walk down a quieter path, but she refused and they started to cross Marine Way bridge.
She tried to defend herself as he slashed at her, causing a long cut from her chin to her left ear, and another deeper cut to her chin.
Quigley then tried to drive the knife into the back of her head and neck, but it became stuck in her coat and snapped.
Brave Simon Mahon ran to help Miss Shearer and grabbed Quigley, who escaped and ran in front of a car.
He suffered head injuries and fell unconscious, before they were both taken to hospital for treatment.
Quigley was charged with attempted murder, but admitted wounding with intent.
Prosecutors accepted the plea to the lesser offence and said he did not have any relevant previous convictions.
Teresa Loftus, defending, said her client was an “emotionally immature young man” and “vulnerable”.
She said: “That immaturity undoubtedly left him unable to cope with the breakdown of the relationship.”
Quigley was ordered to comply with an indefinite restraining order.