A WOMAN has been jailed for eight years in what a police officer describes as ‘one of the most serious cases of domestic violence’ she has ever seen.

Victim Paul Kirkpatrick was left with a broken bone in his face and covered in blood after being ‘relentlessly’ abused over a two day period by his partner Gemma Hollings, a court heard.

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The 30-year-old who was hit with a hammer and slashed across the neck with a broken bottle, was found in the street by police after he ran away from the Darwen home they shared.

Detectives said the prolonged attacks left the victim traumatised and with ‘significant and serious’ injuires.

Campaigners also praised Mr Kirkpatrick for coming forward and giving evidence against his former partner during her trial at Preston Crown Court.

She had denied the attacks, but was found guilty by a jury of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm and another two allegations of assault following five days of evidence.

The 37-year-old, of Hollings Grove Street, was sentenced to eight years behind bars for the abuse.

Speaking after the hearing, DC Jenny Berry, said: “The victim suffered very traumatic injuries. They could have potentially been fatal.

“This was a nasty attack.

“It is certainly one of the most serious cases of domestic violence I have ever come across. It was a relentless assault.

“Justice has now been done for the victim and he just wants to forget about the whole thing and move on with his life.”

Officers found Mr Fitzpatrick with serious injuries following the attack in May, the court heard.

Prosecutors said he had been hit with a hammer and a pole and Hollings had used a broken bottle to cut his neck.

The force of the blows also caused a fracture to a bone in his face. He has been left with a scar on his neck and another just above his eye, police said.

DC Berry said one of their arguments had been caused when Hollings fell out with Mr Kirkpatrick over her hair straighteners.

She said: “The bottle had been used to cause the injury to his neck.

“When the victim was found, he did not really understand the significance of his injuries.

“Since the attack, he has been able to move on. He has moved away and is not living in Darwen anymore.

“He has made a fresh start now that Hollings is in prison and the further away from her he is, the better.”

The officer said cases of domestic violence against men were not reported to police as often as those against women.

She added: “We do not hear of cases so much in terms of domestic violence against men because they are very much under-reported.

“This is the first domestic violence case I have dealt with which has involved a man.

“Tackling the issue is one of our main priorities and I would urge anyone, male of female, who is experiencing it to come forward.”

Wendy Chappell, senior prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West said: “Gemma Hollings carried out a series of violent attacks on her partner over two days using her bare hands and several weapons.

“He received extremely serious injuries resulting in him requiring hospital treatment.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and be safe in their personal relationships, therefore, the CPS and police take all cases of domestic violence extremely seriously regardless of whether the victim is male or female.

“Bringing the perpetrators of such offences to justice remains a high priority.

“I would like to encourage anyone who has been a victim of such offences to come forward and report it to the police and we will support you in every possible way.”

Rachel Horman, a solicitor specialising in domestic violence, at East Lancashire based Watson Ramsbottom, said men often felt too embarrassed to tell the authorities.

She said: “It is harder for men to come forward because of ideas of masculinity and that men should be tough.

“Some men feel ashamed, but I would urge them to get help from the police or domestic violence charities.

“They should not be embarrassed because every specialist will have dealt with men before.”

A spokeswoman from the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Domestic Violence Team said they often saw cases of domestic violence against men, but that there were still more women who came forward.

She said: “Regardless of gender, if you are feeling frightened or want someone to talk to about something going on in the home, give us a call and we can support you.

“Gender does not matter, everybody is treated as an individual.”

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner, said: "Domestic abuse is a problem which affects all sections of society, and is one which I take very seriously as police and crime commissioner. It is vitally important all victims – whether they are male or female - feel they are able to come forward. The courage and bravery displayed by the victim in this case is to be commended.

"Abuse is never the fault of the victim."

For information call HARV on 01254 879855 or visit www.harvoutreach.org.uk