Dangerous man jailed for cowardly attack on woman outside her Blackburn home

A man has been jailed for a cowardly attack on a woman outside her Blackburn home.

32-year-old Terrence Kenny was given a sentence totalling seven years after pleading guilty to committing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Around 10:10pm on 17th January of this year, the victim – a woman in her 30s – was inside her home in Moorgate Street, Blackburn, with a friend when her dog heard a noise in the back garden.

She opened the back door to investigate and saw a figure in the back garden so closed the door. She then saw Kenny at her rear window and moments later a tree stump was thrown through the kitchen window.

She tried to escape through the front door with her friend, but Kenny smashed the victim’s front window with a bike he had picked up. He then kicked the front door panel through, dragged the victim out of the house and repeatedly punched her in the face.

She suffered significant facial injuries, which required hospital treatment.

Kenny, of Westwell Street, Darwen, appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court last Thursday (10th July) where he was sentenced to five years immediate custody. He was also given an extended licence period of two years after a Judge deemed him to be dangerous.

In an impact statement to the court, the victim said: “This incident has left me traumatised and has meant that I have had to undergo surgery given the injuries Kenny has inflicted upon me. I have felt anxious every day since I was assaulted and am fearful of further harm coming to me. This incident has also had a major impact on my life as a whole as I have had to move away from my home and to a new area for fear of a repeat.”

She continued: “I want Kenny to know and understand the impact his actions have had on me. I feel scared every day and am trying to put on a brave face for the sake of my children but I am struggling and hurting both physically and emotionally from the assault and damage he has done. I have had to abandon my former life and try to start again and I am certain this incident will take a number of years to get over and move on from.”

PC Rob Lee, Of East CID, said: “Kenny is a cowardly and dangerous individual who has a propensity to engage in extreme violence. I welcome the sentence handed down to him and the fact the Judge ruled that he is a dangerous offender. Not only does that mean he will have to serve at least two thirds of his sentence before he is eligible to go before the Parole Board, it also means he will continue to be monitored by the authorities even after he is released.”