Nasty Man Jailed for Assaulting Ex-Partner left seriously hospitalised in Hemel Hempstead

Benn Merryweather, 41, of Hemel Hempstead, has been sentenced to eight years and five months in prison for assaulting his ex-partner, who suffered life-changing injuries.

The court heard that Merryweather attacked the woman at their home on August 27, 2022. He punched her in the face, causing her to fall and hit her head on the ground. She was taken to hospital with a serious head injury and placed in an induced coma.

Merryweather was arrested at the scene and charged with Section 18 grievous bodily harm (GBH), assault by beating, and coercive and controlling behaviour.

During extensive enquiries, it was discovered on CCTV earlier that evening they were walking down a local high street before he swiped her legs from behind and left her lying on the ground.

He admitted the assault by beating charge, but denied the other two charges.

Following a two-week trial at Luton Crown Court, Merryweather was found guilty of Section 18 GBH but not guilty of coercive and controlling behaviour. He was sentenced to eight years and five months in prison, with an extended licence period of three years.

Detective Constable Rebecca Cannon, who led the investigation, said: “This was a brutal and sustained attack that has had a devastating impact on the victim. I am pleased that Merryweather has been brought to justice and will now spend a significant amount of time in prison.”

Judge Evans praised the victim for her bravery in coming forward and giving evidence in court. He also commended the police investigation team for their work.

The victim’s family said in a statement: “We are relieved that Merryweather has been brought to justice and that he will now be unable to harm anyone else. We hope that our daughter can now start to rebuild her life.”

DCI Andrea Dalton, from the Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit, said: “This was a challenging and complex investigation for our team. Upon arrest, Merryweather absolved all responsibility of the GBH assault and maintained that the victim had fallen down the stairs. He also failed to provide any further account of what happened. As a result of this traumatic and violent assault, the victim also had no recollection of the incident.

“Hertfordshire Constabulary has a zero tolerance to this type of abhorrent behaviour, and we are pleased that Merryweather will now serve time in prison for his wrongdoing.

“I also hope today’s sentence will give the victim a sense of closure and enable her to move on with her life, safe in the knowledge that Merryweather will never be able to contact her again.”

Merryweather has previously been jailed in 2021 for 21 weeks when he ‘threatened to kill his mother and told her to choose which of his brothers he should kill in row over his grandmother’s will’. A complaint was also received from the taxi driver who drove Merryweather that morning, saying that he had also felt threatened.

The judge said: “If you think you are getting away lightly, well you are. But if you get into trouble, particularly in the 24 months, your luck will run out.”