Brutal attacker locked victim in flat and set it ablaze – sentence bumped up
Attacker jailed for violent assault and fiery trap
Patrick Blenman, from Cambridge, has had his jail time extended to three years and nine months. The move comes after the Solicitor General challenged what was seen as a shockingly light sentence.
Terrifying ordeal inside the burning flat
On 10 August 2021, Blenman refused to leave a woman’s flat despite repeated pleas. When she threatened to call the police, he launched a savage assault. The woman managed to lock herself in the bathroom, but Blenman sealed the front door and set fire to the carpet.
In a desperate bid to escape the flames, she leapt from a third-floor window, suffering injuries on impact.
Justice steps in with tougher punishment
Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said: “This was a terrifying attack on his victim who desperately jumped three storeys to escape. She suffered physical injuries from both the assault and jumping from the window as well as ongoing psychological trauma.”
“Thankfully, the court recognised the brutality and ordered her attacker to spend longer in jail. No-one should suffer violence like this, and this case should serve as a strong warning that we will use all our powers to punish those responsible.”
Original sentence deemed too lenient
On 21 April 2023, Reading Crown Court handed Blenman a 30-month sentence for assault, false imprisonment and arson. However, after referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, the Court of Appeal ramped up the punishment on 14 July.
