Robert Easom jailed for 16 years after brutal attack left partner paralysed
Robert Easom jailed for 16 years in Preston. Image Credit: Lancashire Police
A Lancashire man described in court as a “Jekyll and Hyde monster” has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after violently assaulting his partner and leaving her permanently paralysed.
Robert Easom, 57, was jailed at Preston Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of wounding with intent following a harrowing trial in November. The attack left his partner, Trudi Burgess, with a complete spinal cord injury that has rendered her tetraplegic.
The case has shocked the North West and reignited national conversations about coercive control, domestic abuse, and violence against women.
The February 2025 Attack That Changed Everything
The court heard that on 17 February 2025, Burgess told Easom she was leaving their relationship after enduring eight years of coercive and controlling behaviour. In response, he flew into what prosecutors described as an “uncontrollable rage.”
During the assault, Easom pinned her down and forced her head into her body until her neck snapped. He later called emergency services, claiming she had “fallen out of bed.”
Medical evidence contradicted that account. Burgess underwent 11 hours of emergency surgery and spent three months in critical care. She remains unable to walk, cannot breathe independently without assistance, and requires continuous care.
In a victim impact statement delivered in court, she described being “trapped in a broken body” and said her future had been “rewritten, not by choice.”
A Pattern of Coercive and Controlling Behaviour
According to Lancashire Police, the attack marked the horrific climax of an eight-year campaign of coercive control, emotional abuse, and physical violence.
Easom had already admitted to engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour between 2017 and 2025, along with two offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Prosecutors detailed a disturbing cycle of abuse. Burgess documented incidents in her phone notes, describing how Easom would humiliate her, push her against furniture, drive dangerously to frighten her, and verbally degrade her. At times, he strangled her or dragged her upstairs by her head.
In one incident during a trip to York, Easom reportedly quoted a line from the film Rambo: “Don’t push or I’ll give you a war.” The following day, he would often express remorse, a pattern that created what authorities described as a cycle of abuse.
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Court Verdict and Sentencing at Preston Crown Court
After just 27 minutes of deliberation, the jury convicted Easom of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He denied intending serious harm but admitted causing the injury.
Sentencing him to 16 years’ imprisonment, the judge said no punishment could begin to equal the harm inflicted. Easom will serve a significant custodial term before becoming eligible for parole.
Burgess attended the sentencing hearing in person from her spinal rehabilitation unit, demonstrating extraordinary courage as she addressed the court.
Her statement revealed ongoing trauma, including depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, flashbacks, and nightmares.
The Lasting Impact on the Victim and Her Family
The physical consequences of the assault are life-changing. Burgess has no use of her hands, cannot cough without assistance, and has no control over bladder or bowel functions.
Her adult children have launched a fundraising campaign to support the substantial costs of long-term care and rehabilitation.
The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of domestic abuse survivors struggling to leave relationships due to emotional manipulation and eroded self-esteem.
Detective Constable Bethanie Kirk described Easom as a “manipulative, controlling and cowardly individual with a warped sense of entitlement and repulsive views towards women.”
A Stark Reminder About Domestic Abuse
The Easom case underscores the serious risks victims face when attempting to leave abusive partners. Experts warn that separation is often the most dangerous period in coercive relationships.
Authorities hope the conviction will encourage others experiencing abuse to seek help and report coercive control before violence escalates.
In the UK, support is available via the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247).
FAQ
Who is Robert Easom?
Robert Easom is a 57-year-old man from Chipping, Lancashire, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a violent domestic abuse attack that left his partner paralysed.
Why was Robert Easom jailed?
He was convicted of wounding with intent (grievous bodily harm with intent) after violently assaulting his partner and causing a catastrophic spinal cord injury.
What happened to the victim?
Trudi Burgess suffered a complete spinal cord injury and is now tetraplegic. She requires continuous medical care and will never regain mobility.
Where was Robert Easom sentenced?
He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court in Lancashire.
What is coercive and controlling behaviour?
Under UK law, coercive control refers to a pattern of intimidation, humiliation, isolation, or threats used to harm, punish, or frighten a partner.
How long will Robert Easom serve in prison?
He received a 16-year sentence and will serve a significant portion before becoming eligible for parole.
What evidence was presented in court?
Evidence included the victim’s detailed notes documenting years of abuse, medical testimony about the spinal injury, and admissions by Easom to previous assaults and coercive behaviour.
Where can domestic abuse victims seek help in the UK?
Victims can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or seek assistance through organisations such as Women’s Aid.