Robert Easom violently assaulted Trudi Burgess, from Chorley, when she threatened to leave him

A “violent and controlling bully” who broke the neck of his partner, leaving her paralysed and her life “destroyed”, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Robert Easom, a landscape gardener, violently assaulted Trudi Burgess, a schoolteacher and former singer, when she threatened to leave him after enduring eight years of coercive, controlling behaviour.

In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women’s Aid. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org.