A TRAINEE mechanical engineer has been jailed for 12-and-a-half years after leaving his girlfriend with "life-changing" brain injuries.
Samuel Farley yesterday admitted battering fashion student Esther Garrity on the first day of the trial.
He had denied the initial charge of attempted murder but admitted grievous bodily harm at Teesside Crown Court and was sentenced this afternoon - he was given 12 years for assault and six months for supplying Ms Garrity and a friends with cocaine.
Sam Green QC, defending, said ahead of sentencing: "Sam Farley is very sorry indeed for the terrible thing he did to Esther Garrity and he is very sorry indeed for the severe injuries inflicted on her."
His use of acid and recreational drugs was referenced in the hearing as his lawyer said he urged others not to follow the "stupid path" of drugs.
Judge Simon Bourne Arton told Farley: "This is on any view a tragic case. The lives of two hitherto vibrant and talented young people have been blighted.
"Blighted by the your actions that night, and effectively blighted by the drugs that you chose to take on that night.
"This case graphically illustrates the dangers of drug-taking.
"I’m certain that you are otherwise a normal young man, a loving son and grandson, hard-working, having a wide circle of friends.
"You have been in other relationships with other women in the course of which there has been not a suggestion of violence by you."
He added: "However you did carry out that attack and you did cause her those dreadful injuries."
A "psychotic episode" was blamed as Mr Green said it was what "led to this nightmarish chain of events".
Earlier today Ms Garrity's mum said she "collapsed in a heap" when she saw her daughter in hospital.
She told the court: "I don't understand how anyone can do this. It's terrifying.
"I can't close my eyes without seeing her."
Gazette Live reports her father, Francis, said: "I could not recognise the person lying there.
"Her head was three times the size it normally is. Her injuries were horrific.
"I’ve never seen anything like this in life. I will never forget the sight of my daughter in the condition she was."
The court heard Ms Garrity cannot be left alone and has ongoing problems with short-term memory, emotions and temper.
She has no recollection of the night of the attack
Yesterday Judge Arton described it as a "tragic case" before the 21-year-old was remanded in custody.
Ms Garrity was left in a critical condition for almost three months at James Cook University Hospital after she was attacked in the early hours of April 29 on Marton Road, Middlesbrough.
The fashion student suffered bleeding on the brain, multiple fractures and still "continues to have difficulties", Prosecutor John Elvidge QV said yesterday.
He added: "Victim personal statements will show they struggle with the extent of injury that was occasioned to her."
In the wake of the brutal attack, Ms Garrity's mum told the Gazette that her daughter is doing much better thanks to her "brilliant friends".
The fashion-mad teen had moved away from Linthorpe to study International Fashion Promotion at Manchester Metropolitan University.
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