A woman who lied to police to try to protect her violent boyfriend after he savagely attacked a council worker has been spared prison.
Bradley Fenwick had left the worker with horrific, life-changing injuries with a meat cleaver after mistaking him for Emma Richardson's former partner in Alnwick, Northumberland, on Boxing Day 2020. Fenwick was previously jailed for ten-and-a-half years for wounding with intent last.
After the assault was reported, police went to Richardson's home to see if she had any information and to give her safeguarding advice, given the intended target of the attack was her ex. She answered the door with Fenwick but told officers he was her son and claimed her partner was called Brad Fen and that she had not seen him that day.
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Police later became aware her then-boyfriend was, in fact, Bradley Fenwick and they recognised him as the person at the door with her. She was arrested and her home was searched. A blue gilet, which had the council worker's blood and DNA on, was found in Richardson's car boot and on her phone there were messages referring to the assault and hiding evidence from the police, including texts to Fenwick's mother about cleaning his trainers and moving his possessions.
Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, told the hearing last year: "There are a number of incriminating texts where she's discussing it with her friends. She clearly had knowledge about the attack long before the police went to her address."
A judge deferred sentence on Richardson, who admitted doing acts intended to pervert the course of justice, last October to give her a chance to prove she could turn her life around. Now, despite her compliance with the requirements she was told to abide by being "sketchy", Richardson has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Judge Sarah Mallett, at Newcastle Crown Court, sentenced the 44-year-old, of Beech Grove, Alnwick, Northumberland, to 12 months suspended for two years with 225 hours unpaid work and rehabilitation.
Richard Herrmann, defending, said Richardson is in full-time employment and appreciates the seriousness of the case.
Mr Herrmann said at the previous hearing the attack had not been done at the behest of Richardson. He added: "By the time officers attended at her front door she knew very little more than she told the police.
"This was committed at a time when she was heavily under the influence of alcohol. She recalls it was not her idea.
"It was the demonstrably dangerous, violent man who she had got into a relationship with that was behind the door with her when the police attended.
"She had been a serial victim of serious domestic violence and was now in a brand new relationship with a dangerous and violent man."
Mr Herrmann added that Richardson cares for her seriously ill mother and is now working, which has "revolutionised her life".
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