A thug left his ex-girlfriend beaten under the stairs, her bedroom walls and ceiling covered in blood. Joshua Benali’s victim was left with a missing tooth and broken bones after suffering a brutal attack in her own home following a surprise birthday party. Party.
He surrendered to the police at his mother’s insistence. Liverpool Crown Court heard the 33-year-old had been in a relationship with the woman for about two years but broke up a year before March 9 this year.
That evening, they both attended the same party before returning home with a friend of Benali’s and two friends who were reportedly not invited. Prosecutor Michael O’Brien said they eventually left and the woman went to the toilet. However, when he opened the door after using the facilities, he found his ex-partner standing on the opposite side.
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His mother told him to leave, but instead he was punched in the face multiple times by Benali. He later recalled lying at the bottom of the stairs with his neighbor and police officers, the Liverpool Echo reported.
Crime scene investigators discovered that the walls, ceiling and floor of the bedroom were covered in blood. The woman, who was transported to Whiston Hospital by ambulance, was found to have injuries, including fractures to her nasal bones.
The victim, who lost one of his teeth and lost his other tooth in the attack, shared his distress in a statement read to the court. He said: “This crime left me with life-changing scars. The pain was absolutely horrific. I couldn’t eat and had to drink through a straw. My mental health deteriorated dramatically. Even though some time has passed, I still feel sick with anxiety.”
Benali, of Avondale Road, Haydock, attempted to contact the victim through his mother after the incident but was unsuccessful, but surrendered to police on March 10 after his mother told him so. He had three previous convictions for five offenses for which his former partner was the victim, including assault and criminal damage in January 2023.
Paul Becker, defending, told the court his client had found work as a wing cleaner and food server at HMP Liverpool since being taken into custody, adding: “Several staff have commented on the defendant’s work ethic. He works hard because it is demanding and difficult.”
“The defendant told me that he had been invited to the address. He appreciates that your Honor may conclude that the only appropriate sentence is an immediate custodial sentence, particularly given his previous convictions. If your Honor comes to that view then he will understand because this is a serious offence. He stated that he was disgusted, ashamed and heartbroken by the damage he had caused.”
“The defendant was very disappointed when he found himself in custody. He is trying to make the best of the situation. He understands that he made a mistake. He understands that he must stop violence against women. He has learned his lesson. He will use the time he spent in custody constructively.”
Benali admitted causing grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to two years in prison and given a five-year restraining order.
Sentencing, Recorder David Knifton KC said: “It appears to be an unhealthy relationship. Your own description of it is that it is a toxic relationship. There is a history of domestic violence. It appears you were both invited to a surprise birthday party. At the end of the party the two of you discovered that he was a You returned to his house with his friend and two friends. It is unclear whether you were invited or not.
“What does not appear to be controversial is that he made it clear that he wanted you to leave. He thought you had left because things had gone quiet. But when he came out of the bathroom he found you in front of him. You then attacked him and appear to have punched him repeatedly.”
“After attacking her in this way, you left the house and first tried to escape from the police. There is no doubt that this attack had a significant and lasting impact on her. I accept that you feel sincere remorse and shame for this behavior. I also accept that you are particularly concerned about the time you have spent in custody to date. I have read many impressive testimonials from prison officers.
“You are described as a hard-working and caring person. You were given a trusted role in custody. This was undoubtedly a sustained and persistent attack on a defenseless victim. Your actions appear to be impulsive and no doubt arose from an argument that had disturbed you.”