'Dangerous' man jailed for attack on woman

Terrence Kenny admitted committing grievous bodily harm with intent

A "cowardly" and "dangerous" man who attacked a woman in her own home has been jailed.

Terrence Kenny, 32, smashed windows and kicked in the door of the victim's home in Blackburn, before dragging her out and repeatedly punching her in the face.

The victim, who was in her 30s, suffered significant facial injuries and was so traumatised she had to move out of the area.

Kenny, of Westwell Street in Darwen, admitted committing grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to five years in jail.

Police said the victim was at home on 17 January when her dog heard a noise in the back garden at about 22:00 GMT.

She opened the back door to investigate and saw a figure, so closed the door.

The victim then saw Kenny at her rear window and saw a tree stump crash in through the kitchen window.

Police said she tried to escape through the front door but Kenny smashed the front window then kicked the front door panel through, dragging her out of the house and repeatedly punching her in the face.

'Abandon former life'

In an impact statement, the victim said: "This incident has left me traumatised and has meant that I have had to undergo surgery.

"I have felt anxious every day since... and I am fearful of further harm coming to me."

She said she has also "had to move away from my home to a new area for fear of a repeat".

"I feel scared every day and am trying to put on a brave face for the sake of my children.

"But I am struggling and hurting both physically and emotionally," she said.

"I have had to abandon my former life and try to start again and I am certain this incident will take a number of years to get over and move on from."

PC Rob Lee said: "Kenny is a cowardly and dangerous individual who has a propensity to engage in extreme violence.

"I welcome the sentence handed down to him and the fact the judge ruled that he is a dangerous offender.

"Not only does that mean he will have to serve at least two thirds of his sentence before he is eligible to go before the Parole Board, it also means he will continue to be monitored by the authorities even after he is released," he said.