A man repeatedly punched his girlfriend in the head causing her to suffer a catastrophic stroke after she asked him about suspect messages on his phone.

Harry Boulton, 29, set upon his then-partner of four years when she asked him to explain messages which suggested he had been unfaithful.

During the attack, he punched her up to six times, including to the back of the head. The force was such that the carotid artery at the back of her neck was dissected. The 30-year-old woman suffered a huge stroke which has left her with a speech disorder as well as her ability to walk and do basic tasks.

She now lives under the care of her family, has lost her managerial job, her flat, her car and her independence. Speaking of the impact, the woman said she missed doing 'normal things a woman her age could do', and said she would rely on medication to control epileptic fits for the rest of her life.

In a video statement played to the court the woman, who was helped by an intermediary, said: "I'm worried, I can have kids but I can't stop my medication." Unable to find the words, the intermediary asked: "Because it would harm the baby?" She replied: "Yes."

Boulton, of Sale, pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding without intent just days before the woman was due to give evidence. He initially claimed he acted in self defence, stating his partner was the 'aggressor' but changed his plea.

At Minshull Street Crown Court on Wednesday, April 16, he was jailed for three years, as members of the woman's family burst into tears.

Jailing him, Judge Matthew Corbett-Jones said: "The impact has been catastrophic. She was entitled to feel safe and secure and to be treated with care and respect. You were in her home, a place where she was entitled to feel protected from harm."

The court heard that on December 17, 2022, a row broke out between the couple when the victim became concerned that Boulton was cheating on her. She initially took his phone and locked herself in the bathroom before going downstairs to speak to him.

"He was simply saying he was sorry. She was calm and asked the defendant to explain the messages. She was expecting a discussion, not to be attacked," said prosecutor Justin Hayhoe.

Boulton then launched a number of punches at her head. During the attack she felt blood pouring down the back of her neck and asked him: 'What have you done'.

She went to bed, and when he later tried to come into the bedroom complaining he was cold, she told him to leave.

"She was unable to sleep due to discomfort and pain and she couldn't get her hand to move properly. She went to work the next day but felt her arm go floppy, and, realising she was unwell, her colleagues took her to hospital," said Mr Hayhoe.

It later became clear that her carotid artery had been dissected and as a result she had suffered two strokes. Over the course of two years, the woman was in and out of hospital receiving specialist treatment. Along with her physical issues, she was diagnosed with depression and PTSD.

"Her gait was significantly impaired, she can only walk a short distance and uses the aid of a walking stick. She is unable to undertake basic tasks. Her right arm is significantly impaired and there is a long term risk of permanent pain," Mr Hayhoe continued.

"She is unable to drive [due to risk of seizures], she has been diagnosed with a speech disorder in that she is unable to recall words and cannot form grammatically correct sentences."

In a statement, her mum said the family's lives had turned 'upside down'. She is now her daughter's full time carer and has been left 'distraught' after witnessing her daughter having a seizure.

"She was independent, intelligent, had a great job that she loved and financed her own flat and car. She is never going to work again," she said.

She said she had to help her daughter learn how to talk and walk again. "My daughter is still alive, but Harry has taken her life."

The woman's younger sister added: "We had to watch her slip away. Harry has taken away every aspect of her life. You have ruined our lives."

Defending, Jemma Gordon said Boulton was 'extremely remorseful' and apologised to the victim and her family on his behalf.

"He has expressed significant remorse and regret for the harm he has caused. The offence was out of character."

Boulton, of Washway Road, Sale, was jailed for three years.