Caught on camera
A man linked to a Liverpool gang has been jailed after viciously attacking his girlfriend in broad daylight, leaving her unconscious in the middle of the street.
Thomas Jennings, 30, was captured on Ring doorbell footage violently beating Paula Richardson on Harbreck Grove, Aintree, at around 11.15am on March 31. The video shows Paula screaming “stop” as Jennings punches her repeatedly before knocking her to the ground and kicking her in the head.
As he walked away from the scene, Jennings threatened a witness, saying: “If you filmed me, I’ll f****** burn your house down.”
Left needing surgery
Paula was rushed to Aintree Hospital with serious injuries, including a broken jaw, a gash to her head and a shattered eye socket. She required surgery and is still recovering from the assault.
The court heard that Jennings, who has no fixed address but is originally from Walton, struck her with a mobile phone and kicked her twice in the head during the attack.
A violent past
Liverpool Crown Court heard Jennings has a long criminal record, with 36 previous convictions for 64 offences. These include a 2014 conviction for drug dealing, a domestic assault in 2018, and a 92-month sentence in 2020 for firearms offences tied to gang activity.
He was previously involved in a tit-for-tat gangland feud linked to the Kirkstone Riot Squad – a Bootle-based group named after Kirkstone Road North – supplying a gun later used in a shooting that led to the death of 20-year-old bystander Mikey Rainsford.
Excuses rejected
Defence barrister Julian Nutter said Jennings had long-standing mental health issues, possibly linked to drug use, and was struggling with the grief of losing his mother. He claimed Jennings was “deeply ashamed” and had shown genuine remorse, calling it a first step towards reform.
But Recorder Mark Bradshaw dismissed any justification for the attack, telling Jennings: “This incident happened in the street in broad daylight. The footage we have all seen is, frankly, chilling.
“It appears that very little happened before you simply, without hesitation, struck her repeatedly to the head and face with a mobile phone used as a weapon. After she fell to the ground, you delivered two kicks to the head, the last of which rendered her unconscious. You then simply walked away. It was, in my judgement, a cowardly attack.”
Jailed again
Jennings was sentenced to four years in prison, with an additional three years on extended licence. The judge added: “It is plain that the consequences could have been far worse. It is fortunate for you that they were not.”
