A man from Warrington has been jailed for nearly three years for seriously assaulting a woman.
34-year-old Rory Gilchrist appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 2 October where he was sentenced to two years and 11 months imprisonment.
Gilchrist, of Padgate Lane, Warrington, was also handed a decade-long restraining order that prevents him from contacting the victim in this case.
Gilchrist had pleaded guilty to one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.
On Sunday 8 March at approximately 4am, an off-duty Cheshire Police officer was driving in the Winwick Road area when he spotted a visibly distressed and seriously injured woman attempting to flag down traffic.
The officer pulled over and came to the woman’s assistance, calling for police and an ambulance to attend the scene.
Back-up quickly arrived, with the woman telling officers that she had been beaten by Gilchrist. She went on to say that Gilchrist has also held a knife to her, made threats to kill her and refused to let her out of her own property.
Fearing for her safety, the victim jumped from a first-floor window in an attempt to escape, sustaining two fractured legs in the process.
Despite her injuries, she was able to make it to the nearby Winwick Road to flag down the passing officer.
Following a number of urgent enquiries, Gilchrist was arrested two hours later and taken into custody.
When interviewed by detectives, he told officers that he had been attacked first and that he was defending himself. He also said he was unsure as to why the woman had chosen to jump out of a window to escape him as he had done nothing wrong.
Detective Constable Stuart Leah said: “Gilchrist’s behaviour created an atmosphere of terror, leaving the victim to feel that she had no choice but jump out of a first-storey window in order to escape his violence.
“Despite sustaining serious injuries at the hands of Gilchrist and during her escape, she was able to make it to a nearby main road and successfully flag down a passing off-duty police officer, who subsequently got her the support she needed.
“The bravery she showed during this ordeal, and the wider investigation and court process that has involved her having to relive traumatic events, is truly commendable and Gilchrist’s’ conviction could not have been obtained without her vital evidence.
“A key force priority for Cheshire Constabulary is protecting vulnerable people and tackling violence against women and girls. These commitments were clearly demonstrated by the off-duty officer who spotted a vulnerable woman in need and, acting on instinct, came to her aid – I would like to express my most sincerest thanks for him doing so.”
