Woman feared for her life as partner drove her and toddler around northwest after assault

A man from Skelmersdale who carried out a horrific and sustained assault on his partner has been given a 10 year extended sentence.  

Nathaniel Corkish repeatedly hit his victim to the head with a hammer, strangled her and then bundled her into his car where he tried to hide her by covering the windows with bloodstained clothing.

He then drove her – and the couple’s 17-month-old child - around the northwest in his Toyota Auris for several hours before he was eventually stopped by police and arrested in Wallasey.

The victim, 26, was taken to hospital with injuries including several skull fractures, a bleed on the brain and a detached retina. She told police she feared Corkish was going to kill her and was driving around looking for somewhere to bury her body.

At their address in Skelmersdale Corkish had tried to cover up his crimes by ripping up the carpets and burning them and cleaning bloodstained furniture.

Corkish, 32, of Brierfield, Skelmersdale, was arrested and charged with Section 18 wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnap, and non-fatal strangulation.

He was given a 10 year extended sentence when he appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Friday, March 31) for sentencing.

Detective Insp Marcus Latham of Lancashire Police, said: “Nathaniel Corkish has subjected his victim to an absolutely horrific level of violence leaving her with injuries that could easily have proved fatal.
“I can barely begin to imagine the terror she must have gone through during this ordeal, not only must she have been terrified for herself but also for her young child who was in the car with her.
“I welcome the prison sentence given to Corkish, offences like this have no place in our society and offenders have to be punished appropriately.”