Man found guilty of trying to kill girlfriend

Benjamin Swindells has been found guilty of attempted murder

A man who kicked, punched and stamped on his girlfriend in a "ferocious" attack has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Benjamin Swindells had denied trying to kill Sophie Conroy, but a jury at Leeds Crown Court unanimously found him guilty on Thursday.

The trial heard the 29-year-old kicked Ms Conroy’s head “like a football” during the attack in Wakefield on 13 April.

Judge Howard Crowson told Swindells he would receive "a substantial prison sentence" when he was brought back to the court on 5 December.

He said: "I'm only adjourning it to help probation services help me decide what risk you present in the future."

In the meantime, Swindells, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody.

The trial was told he had a previous conviction for battery against another former partner in 2019 and had attacked Ms Conroy prior to the 13 April incident outside a Tesco Express store.

Swindells, who claimed to be a recovering drug addict, admitted he could be "vile" towards her, "particularly when under the influence" - but claimed he still loved his former partner of one year.

He initially denied attacking her before pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent.

"I was in denial of the possibility or prospect that I would do that to a woman that trusted me, loved me and believed in me," he told the court.

Mr Swindells said he "engaged in a ferocious attack, but I had no intention of killing her".

He claimed to have no memory of the incident or what made him attack Ms Conroy.

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