Man jailed for hammer attack on gay partner

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A man who attacked his partner with a hammer and broke his leg in three places has been jailed for at least six years.

Stephen Kelly, 20, attacked Paul Coombes so badly that he may need both legs amputated, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.

The attack took place in June. When arrested, Kelly told police he wanted to kill his partner.

Leeds crown court heard that Coombes, 56, had allowed Kelly to stay at his Albion Street flat after Kelly was kicked out by his girlfriend.

They began sleeping together but the arrangement turned sour when Kelly began bringing women home. The prosecution said Kelly also smoked cannabis in the flat and played loud music.

When Kelly, of Huddersfield, brought home a 15-year-old girl, Coombes told him to leave. When Coombes rang the police, Kelly punched him and began attacking him with a claw hammer.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp said Coombes was hit repeatedly in the head, knees and legs.

Kelly then left the scene with Coombes’ bank card, using it to withdraw £50.

He pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

In defence, Robin Frieze said the defendant had been honest about what he did and said that Coombes had, to a degree, used Kelly “to his own advantage”.

Kelly, who has a personality disorder, will serve at least six years in prison.

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