Teenager beaten and stabbed by ‘merciless’ ex

A TEENAGE girl was mercilessly beaten by her estranged boyfriend after a marathon boozing session, a court was told.

Megan Birch was subjected to a frenzied attack as Richard Gleave pounded her face with his fists and repeatedly stamped on her head as she lay defenceless.

Gleave then stabbed her legs and face, a jury at Manchester Crown Court was told.

One witness said Gleave, who denies the attack, had been screaming he was going to kill her and in a drunken rage yelled: “If I can’t have you, nobody else will.”

Ms Birch was left with appalling injuries, including cuts, swellings and bruises and two black eyes.

She told the court she couldn’t remember anything of the attack.

She said on March 30, she had been “on a bender” with Gleave and other friends and had drunk at least a litre of vodka. The drinking began around 1pm in Oldham and continued throughout the afternoon and early evening, winding up at an house in Huxley Street, Clarksfield at around 7pm.

Michael Blakey, prosecuting, said the Crown’s case was that shortly after entering the home, Gleave began pounding Ms Birch for no reason.

Paul Thomson (51), who was at the address, said he tried three times to stop the attack but had been unable to. He said Gleave attacked him too almost slicing off a thumb. He said after seeing Gleave stamping on Ms Birch’s head, he rushed to get a neighbour to call police.

He told the court: “It was the malice. It was horrible”

The court heard that after the attacks Gleave smashed a computer, then wrecked furniture: “The house was trashed” said Mr Blakey.

Ms Birch, who has a child by Gleave, hadn’t lived with him for some time before the attack.

Gleave of Ashenhurst Avenue, Huddersfield, pleads not guilty to to charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and criminal damage.

The case continues.