Gemma Hollings hammer attack sentence increased

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-30851328

Version 0 of 1.

A woman who almost killed her partner with a hammer and a broken bottle has had her prison sentence increased.

Gemma Hollings, from Darwen in Lancashire, also used a curtain pole to beat Mark Kirkpatrick after a row about money. He was found by a passer-by in the street.

The Court of Appeal increased her eight-year sentence to 12 years.

Lancashire Police said it was one of the worst cases of domestic violence they had seen.

The couple, who both had a history of drug problems, had planned to marry.

The Attorney General's office said Hollings was convicted of wounding and assault over the attack at her home. She was jailed in October.

The case was brought to the Court of Appeal as the sentenced was deemed "unduly lenient", as the attacks "carried the risk of causing permanent disability or death".

The attack on Mark Kirkpatrick

The Solicitor General said Mr Kirkpatrick was "lucky to be alive".

Conservative MP Robert Buckland, who is a barrister, said: "Hollings committed a series of unprovoked assaults on the victim within a 24-hour period.

"The victim suffered multiple serious injuries and significant psychological harm. Hollings has previous convictions for assault and this episode amounted to a horrendous and potentially fatal case of domestic abuse."