A convicted killer who attacked a former South Yorkshire partner is spared from prison

Sheffield Crown Court heard on April 7 how Daniel Gerrard, aged 38, formerly of Maltby, punched his ex-partner so hard in the nose she needed surgery and months later he attacked her a second time punching her to the floor and kicking her.

Jessica Strange, prosecuting, said that following the first attack in Wales where Gerrard has been based she returned home to Maltby and needed treatment.

Ms Strange added: “She returned home to Maltby and needed further treatment and an operation to an eye socket.”

The couple’s relationship ended after the first attack, according to Ms Strange, but while they were still in contact Gerrard visited her home and punched her to the floor and kicked her.

Gerrard, currently of Spruce Tree Grove, Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan, Wales, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm from August, 2018, and he also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm from December, 2018.

The defendant, who has previous convictions including an offence of manslaughter from 2013, also pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun after police searched his home in Wales in October, 2019.

Ms Strange said Gerrard bought the stun gun on a holiday and it was never used.

Dermot Hughes, defending, said: “He’s engaged in lucrative work - demanding and time-consuming on the railways - forcing him to move around the country which explains the Wales link because of work being done there. He has a new contract in the South Yorkhsire area.”

The complainant had stated she had become scared of Gerrard and had suffered with depression and feared he might come back and hurt her.

However, the court heard the complainant has since moved on and had a baby and Gerrard has not committed any new offences since he attacked his ex-partner.

Recorder Nicholas Lumley QC sentenced Gerrard to 24 months of custody suspended for two years with 150 hours of unpaid work.

Gerrard was also ordered to pay pay £2,500 compensation and £1,500 costs and he was made subject to an indefinite restraining order.

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