‘Jekyll and Hyde monster’ left girlfriend paralysed after brutal assault
A man described as a “Jekyll and Hyde monster” has been jailed for 16 years for a brutal attack that left his girlfriend paralyzed.
Robert Easom, 57, was sentenced to prison on Friday following the attack on Trudi Burgess, the culmination of eight years of controlling, coercive and violent behaviour.
Easom will also serve a four-year extended license term
Ms Burgess, 57, documented the abuse in the notes app on her phone.
In addition to serious physical assaults, she described what she called “low-level incidents” where Easom would be verbally or physically abusive, then go on a cycle of apologizing and being affectionate, which became normalized.
Miss Burgess told Easom on February 17 last year that she would eventually leave him, but Easom responded with a violent attack that severed her spinal cord.
When Easom called an ambulance, he claimed he had had an “accident” and “fell out of bed.”
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Burgess said: “This crime took away everything I had built, planned and enjoyed.
“It took away my health, my independence, my ability to care for my family, my career, my freedom and my peace of mind.
“Every day is a physical, emotional and mental battle. This injury is permanent. I will never get back the life I had. I now live with constant pain, limitations and heartbreak.
“My children and my grandchild lost the mother and grandmother they once had.
“I’ve had to learn to live a life I didn’t choose and wouldn’t wish on anyone. This isn’t just a physical injury, it’s the destruction of a life.”
“The pain does not end with me. The waves of pain are felt by everyone who loves and cares about me. I want the court to take into account not only the brutality of the attack, but also the lasting consequences I now face.”
“I also want the court to be aware of my genuine concerns about anyone who becomes involved with Robert in the future, romantically or otherwise. He has a true Jekyll and Hyde personality.”
“He could be a loving and attentive partner and then suddenly turn into a truly terrifying monster, restraining me, dragging me across the room, making threats at me. All of this was rejected after a few minutes.
“I am living proof of the devastating effects of uncontrollable outbursts of anger.”
Easom, formerly of Longridge Road, Chipping, was convicted by a jury of wounding with intent.
He had previously admitted engaging in coercive and controlling behavior between July 2017 and February 2025, as well as two offenses relating to actual bodily harm.
