Jake Hammersley, 32, from Stoke-On-Trent, has been branded a ‘violent bully’ after he punched his girlfriend in a terrifying attack. His partner was pregnant at the time
An evil dad lured his pregnant girlfriend to a park and then “struck” her in the stomach – and left her “cramping” in “pain”.
Jake Hammersley, 32, from Stoke-On-Trent, has been jailed after he launched the brutal attack at Park Hall Country Park after taking his victim’s Vauxhall Corsa using a spare key. The dad, who was intoxicated at the time, was initially kind to the victim before he switched moods and hurled verbal abuse at her.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how he called her a “slapper” and a “rat”, as well as calling her mother a “fatty”. His pal, who witnessed the abuse, tried to tell him to stop. But he ignored his friend’s advice and “grabbed [the victim] from behind to drag her into the car.”
Hammersley then launched the terrifying attack and punched the victim, who was 13 weeks pregnant with his child at the time. He proceeded to bite her ear during the ordeal which took place on August 28.
Dylan Wagg, prosecuting, told the court: “She managed to get away and she shouted across the road and alerted a dog walker, she asked them to call the police but they had no phone. Mr Hammersley got in the car, stopped it next to her, and grabbed [the victim] from behind to drag her into the car. He struck her in the stomach – she was 13 weeks pregnant at the time – and she felt pain and cramping. She kicked and screamed and she managed to get free.”
Hammersley, of Tunstall, has 35 previous convictions for 53 offences, including battery, two assaults and witness intimidation, reports Stoke-On-Trent Live. He pleaded guilty to breaching his Domestic Violence Protection Order and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Catherine O’Reilly, mitigating, said: “He lost his mum in January 2024, and he lost his daughter’s mum in October 2023. When he struggles emotionally he turns to alcohol and unfortunately, alcohol doesn’t have a positive impact. He’s very eager to stop that pattern of offending.
“He suffers from PTSD and depression, in relation to his uncle Callum Lovatt who was killed at Dovegate in 2017, and losing his mum. His daughter is from a previous relationship. She is now seven and he has no contact with her. He would like to see her in the future but that will mean a paternity battle. All of this is no excuse for his unacceptable behaviour. He knows he has to change his ways and knows if he continues he will not see any of his children.”
Recorder Robert Smith concluded: “You are a violent, controlling bully. She was 13 weeks pregnant with your child when you struck her in the stomach and she felt pain and cramping. You were verbally abusive and called her a ‘slapper’, and a ‘rat’. You grabbed her top, you pushed her with force to the floor and you punched her – you left her on the floor, got in the car, drove closer to her, grabbed hold of her and tried to drag her into the car.
“You have a record of convictions for violence including in a domestic context. This was a prolonged incident – you tried to bully [the victim]. You’re a dangerous man to any woman of whom you’re in an intimate relationship with. Your victim was particularly vulnerable because she was pregnant with your child. She was a lone female drawn out to a remote location where you assaulted her. Bullies like you who assault pregnant women will always go to jail in my court.”
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk.
