The screams were heard in the early hours of the morning
John Brown(Image: Merseyside Police)
Police discovered pools of blood and a tooth on the ground after children were heard screaming in the street in the early hours. The chilling scene was the result of John Brown subjecting his girlfriend to a vicious and unprovoked assault while they were babysitting two “traumatised” young kids, who were forced to flee the couple’s home in terror.
The domestic abuser later claimed that he had “lost it” as she had been “s***ging behind his back” He has now labelled the incident the “biggest wake up call he has ever had”, having missed his own mum’s funeral as a result of his crimes.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Monday, that Merseyside Police attended an address on Ebony Way in Kirkby shortly after 3am on November 3 last year after receiving reports of two children screaming and crying in the street, with the caller stating that they “believed someone was getting seriously hurt”. Brown was subsequently discovered inside the property in a “irate and aggressive” state.
Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, described how the 40-year-old went on to tell officers that he had been “drinking and taking cocaine” before an argument erupted with his partner Lisa Gouldson. PCs meanwhile noted “blood on the floor and a tooth”.
The victim was thereafter located at a nearby family member’s house. She reported that they had been childminding when Brown began to accuse her of being unfaithful.
He was then said to have repeatedly punched and kicked her to the face and body, causing her to lose a tooth and suffer broken ribs. The defendant however denies kicking Ms Gouldson during the assault.
The two primary school aged children meanwhile “heard the commotion” and fled. Their mother later attended the address, at which stage Brown “became angry and repeatedly punched her to the head and grabbed her neck”.
Domestic abuse help and support
Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone.
NHS advice says if you are at risk of domestic abuse or violence you can:
The Survivor’s Handbook from Women’s Aid is free and gives information on issues such as housing, money, helping children and legal rights.
Men can email info@mensadviceline.org.uk, which can refer you to places that can help, such as health services and voluntary organisations.
SWACA – Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid offers free practical and emotional support to women, young people, and children suffering from domestic abuse. You can contact SWACA by phone on 0151 922 8606, by text on 07779745594 and by email at help@swaca.com
For forced marriage and “honour” crimes, contact Karma Nirvana (0800 5999 247) or The Forced Marriage Unit (020 7008 0151).
Merseyside-based charity Savera UK supports people at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and other harmful practices. You can call their national helpline on 0800 107 0726 on weekdays between 9am and 5pm.
Galop provides support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic violence.
Anyone who needs confidential help with their own abusive behaviour can contact Respect on their free helpline on 0808 802 4040.
After being arrested, he told the police that he had “lost it” and alleged that his girlfriend had been “s***ging behind his back”. Both Ms Gouldson and the mum were treated at Aintree Hospital for their injuries, while the youngsters were found “safe and well”.
Brown has a total of 16 previous convictions for 36 offences, including matters concerning drug trafficking and receiving an 18-month community order for assault in August 2023. Jim Smith, defending, told the court: “He has stated that it should not have happened. This is the biggest wake up call he has ever had. He is not going to use drugs again.
“He has been punished significantly. As a carer for his mother at the time, his mother has subsequently passed away while he has been on remand awaiting his fate. He has been unable to lend his support to the extended family and attend his mother’s funeral. He knows that the responsibility was on him to ensure care for his mother. Against that background, he has his own mental health struggles. “
Brown admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and and assault. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he sat making notes with a pen and paper as he was jailed for nine months and handed a two-year restraining order.
Sentencing, District Judge John McGarva said: “Any domestic assault is serious in nature. Partners are entitled to be treated with love and respect, not to be abused and assaulted.
“This is made more serious by the fact that you were under the influence of drink, by the location of the offending and by the fact that two young children were present. They must have been traumatised by what they saw.
“You were subject to a community sentence for a domestic assault on another lady. That did not stop this from happening. You are a danger to some members of the public.
“This is a case where the only way that punishment can be provided is by immediate custody. The message has to go out to domestic abusers that the court will not tolerate this kind of conduct.
“I always try to look at the best in people, but the [pre-sentence] report highlights real concerns. There is a degree of victim blaming in your case and minimisation. I just do not think that the message has got through to you, I am afraid.
“I deeply regret the fact that your mum died when you were in custody and that you missed her funeral. That is a tragedy. That is a result of you own conduct.”