Sulhamstead: Man Jailed For GBH

26 February 2014, 08:20 | Updated: 26 February 2014, 08:24

A man's starting a two and a half year sentence for attacking his girlfriend in Sulhamstead, leaving her in a coma.

American national James Kelley was sentenced to 32 months at Reading Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of GBH on the third day of his trial on Wednesday (19/2).

On 15 August 2013 the 33 year old and the victim, who is also an American national, flew to the UK and on 17 August they checked in to a bed and breakfast in Sulhamstead.

In the following days a number of disagreements took place between the pair and Kelley carried out a serious assault against his partner which resulted in her sustaining a fractured skull.

On 20 August Kelley took his victim to the Royal Berkshire Hospital slumped in his car’s footwell. She was unconscious and subsequently transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where she remained in a coma for several days.

Kelley was arrested on 20 August and was charged on the following day in connection with the offence.

Following the sentencing, senior investigating officer, Det Ch Insp Kevin Brown, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime unit, said:

“Victims of domestic abuse are often reluctant to involve the police and support a prosecution, however we have a duty of care to investigate and ensure that everything possible is done to ensure that justice is served and that vulnerable people are protected.

“Thames Valley Police is committed to tackling domestic abuse and we will be relentless in our pursuit of justice for victims.”