A prison inmate who vowed revenge on his ex-partner while serving time carried out a brutal assault on her exactly a year later, this time in front of their two young children.
Thomas Dean, 36, was jailed for launching a savage attack on the mother of his children as she walked them to school in Prescot. The incident took place on the anniversary of a menacing email Dean had sent from prison, in which he warned: “I f***ing hate what you’ve done and I will see you when they release me.”
Attack carried out in front of terrified children
On the morning of November 7, 2024, the woman was taking the children, aged three and six, to school when they spotted their father sitting in the passenger seat of a van near Dunne’s News on Shaw Lane. The kids ran over to wave at him, unaware of what was to follow.
Dean suddenly jumped out, threw a mug at their mother and knocked over his youngest child in the process. He then dragged his former partner to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked her to the face and upper body as the children screamed and begged him to stop.
Victim left with broken nose and wrist
The shocking assault was captured on CCTV and only ended when other parents rushed in to help. Dean’s own father restrained him and pulled him back to the van. When the victim stood up, Dean tried to get out of the van again, reportedly shouting “body bag” as his father held him back.
The woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries, including fractures to her nose and wrist.
Dean sentenced to more than two years behind bars
Dean, of no fixed address, has 18 previous convictions for 48 offences, including assault, drug and driving crimes. At Liverpool Crown Court, he admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and assault. He was sentenced to 32 months in prison and given indefinite restraining orders preventing contact with his ex-partner and children.
Judge Garrett Byrne described Dean’s behaviour as “truly shocking and appalling,” adding: “You punched and kicked her to the floor where you continued the attack. Witnesses were clearly shocked by what they saw. You have a bad record and no compelling mitigation.”
