Man who threw girlfriend from tower block jailed

Man Jailed for Pushing Girlfriend from Tower Block

A 22-year-old man from Solihull, Jordan Herring, has been sentenced to five years in prison after throwing his girlfriend from the fourth floor of a tower block. The incident occurred in November 2022 at Merton House in Chelmsley Wood, where the 18-year-old victim, Bobbie Goodman, fell from Herring’s mother’s flat. She sustained a collapsed lung and fractures to her pelvis, spine, and ribs, prompting an emergency airlift to hospital.

Victim’s Experience and Emotional Impact

Goodman shared her ordeal with the BBC, describing the event as “very dehumanising.” She recounted being unable to move, walk, or care for herself for weeks, with fears of never walking again. “He’s ruined my life in so many ways,” she said. “I have a lot of hatred for this man. He’s made me not want to trust another man ever again, but I hope someday, I will.”

“I couldn’t move, couldn’t walk, couldn’t wash myself. I really thought I might never walk again,” Goodman added.

Mother’s Distress and Emergency Response

Herring’s mother, Kerrie-Anne Grogan, made a frantic 999 call shortly after the incident, expressing her helplessness. “I couldn’t call the ambulance… I should’ve done it ages ago but he’s my son,” she said, voicing fears that Herring might “get a knife and kill her.” Emergency services arrived over an hour later, according to the jury’s findings.

“I’m scared he’s gonna get a knife and kill her,” Grogan stated.

Previous Conviction and Relationship Context

Before this incident, Herring had already been convicted of coercive and controlling behavior toward Goodman. During the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, he claimed the couple had a “toxic” relationship, with the altercation on the night of the fall stemming from an argument about cheating. The court convicted him of wounding and coercive behavior, resulting in a total sentence of five years.

Authorities have praised Goodman for her courage in speaking out about the abuse she endured. Officers emphasized their ongoing support for the victim, highlighting her resilience in the face of the trauma. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram for more updates.