Alcoholic Christopher Murphy stamped on ex-girlfriend's face before attacking two children in Folkestone
by Paul Hooper
A man who kicked and stamped on a lover's face before attacking
two terrified children later told police: "I deserve the electric
chair."
Alcoholic Christopher Murphy, 35, turned violent after a party
with then partner Zoe Nelson.
The attack in Folkestone was so violent his victim suffered
a double fracture to her jaw during the beating.
A judge has been told it is the second time in five
years she has needed metal plates in her face following an
almost identical attack from another man.
Yet, astonishingly, the mother-of-three tried to STOP the
prosecution against Murphy – for her assault - and refused to
make a victim impact statement used in criminal cases.
And the Crown Prosecution Service was forced to accept a plea to
a lesser charge by Murphy, now of South Street, Canterbury.
He was jailed for 18 months after admitting three assaults,
causing her grievous bodily harm and two of causing actual bodily
harm against two children.
Prosecutor Rossano Cifonelli told Canterbury Crown Court of the
events that led up to the attacks last year.
He said the couple, who both had alcohol problems during their
stormy three-year relationship, had been drinking heavily at a New
Year's Eve party.
Ms Nelson had returned home with others leaving her lover to
make his own way because the taxi had been full.
But within minutes of returning, the couple began an argume
nt over the time it had taken him to make the
return journey.
Ms Nelson was then knocked to the ground and kicked and her face
stamped on – and two others received bruises in the violent
attack.
Mr Cifonelli said: "At the top of the stairs Murphy pushed her
with some force causing her to fall before kicking her to both the
left
"These were terrible events which had caused serious injuries and destroyed a family..." – Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl
and right side of
the face. She then passed out and couldn't recall anything else
until the ambulance arrived."
He added "there was blood everywhere", causing two children to
flee for help in the rain still dressed in pyjamas. One of them
later reported she had also been kicked in the face.
Danny Moore, defending, said Murphy had no previous
convictions for violence, but three for drink-driving offences.
"The person who committed these offences is not by definition a
violent or bad person. He has said from the beginning he really has
very little memory of these events," he added.
He said Ms Nelson – who made a retraction statement in an
effort to halt the prosecution on her assault – said Murphy "had
suffered enough and I hope he is not sent to prison".
Mr Moore said the attacks "must have been terrifying" for the
children, but Murphy had "momentarily snapped" and he had now shown
real remorse.
The barrister added the future for the couple – who have a
child together – was uncertain, adding: "What will happen in the
future, I simply don't know."
Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl said Murphy had to go to prison,
telling him: "These were terrible events which had caused serious
injuries and destroyed a family. This was all fueled by
alcohol."
08/03/13
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