A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after carrying out savage attacks with scissors on his girlfriend and a friend. Patrick Berry, 51, of Balaclava Road, SE1, was convicted at Blackfriars Crown Court on 20 February for two violent assaults that occurred just weeks apart.
On 1 December 2016, following a night at the pub, Berry followed his friend into another room and launched a brutal attack. He sat on the man’s chest and repeatedly stabbed him in the face and back with a pair of nail scissors. The victim also suffered from Berry stamping on him and being hit with a chair during the 20-minute assault. The victim was left unconscious and required hospital treatment.
On 29 March 2017, Berry attacked his new girlfriend in Bermondsey in a terrifying rage. When she refused to discuss his upcoming trial, Berry ‘flipped out’ and assaulted her for two hours. He struck her head with a granite pestle and rolling pin, kicked and stomped on her while she was unconscious, and sat on her chest, nearly suffocating her. She sustained 45 centimetres of scalp wounds that required 21 staples and four stitches, along with severe bruising. Initially, her injuries were feared to be life-changing.
Berry was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and other charges. He received a nine-year prison sentence with an extended licence period totalling 12 years. A restraining order has been issued, banning him from contacting both victims indefinitely.
Detective Constable Sam Cafferty described Berry as “a dangerous individual who carried out two absolutely brutal attacks.” Judge Clarke referred to the blood-soaked kitchen at the scene as “like a Greek tragedy.” Michelle McGuire from Victim Support praised the police and support services, saying, “Walworth police and Victim Support are 100 per cent professionals. I have the utmost respect for how they handled my very complicated case.”
Detective Inspector Tracey Miller emphasised the importance of the partnership between police and Victim Support, noting the role of specialised Domestic Violence Advisers in assisting victims throughout the legal process. Berry’s attacks highlight the brutal reality of domestic violence and the bravery of victims seeking justice.
Originally published by UKNIP.
