Man sentenced for fatal assault of former partner over multiple days

An individual received a prison sentence of a minimum of 21 years and four months for fatally assaulting his former partner, described as “frail and vulnerable,” over an extended period. Melissa Eastick, aged 36, sustained over 100 injuries, such as fractured bones, widespread bruising, and cigarette burns, prior to her death in Sunderland during October 2023. Stephen Todd, 41, pleaded guilty to murder following the initial day of his trial and has subsequently been given a life sentence, which includes a mandatory minimum period of incarceration. Ms Eastick’s relatives conveyed to Newcastle Crown Court that she “just wanted to be loved”. The court was informed that three months prior to the fatal assault, Todd had received a suspended prison sentence for an earlier attack on Ms Eastick, and she went back to him after his release from pre-trial detention. Ms Eastick’s final documented appearance occurred on 2 October, when she and Todd visited a local supermarket for groceries before proceeding back to his apartment located on Stockton Terrace in Grangetown. It was established that she was still alive four days subsequent to this, receiving a call from a mobile phone provider, but beyond that point, only Todd is aware of her fate, according to court proceedings. Prosecutor Peter Glenser KC stated that around 07:00 BST on 17 October, Todd contacted 999, reporting he could not rouse Ms Eastick; however, emergency medical personnel discovered her deceased in a dimly lit bedroom. Todd asserted that she had sustained injuries from a fall down stairs, yet evidence demonstrated that her numerous injuries were inflicted over several days, with the perpetrator being the sole individual observed entering or exiting the residence during that timeframe. Both individuals had a history of alcohol dependency, and Mr Glenser characterized Ms Eastick as “frail and vulnerable,” noting her extensive time spent residing in homeless shelters and refuges. Samantha Turnbull, Ms Eastick’s sister, stated in court that her sibling was the “baby of the family,” being “small and dainty.” Ms Turnbull conveyed that the family consistently attempted to assist Ms Eastick, who was a cherished sister, mother, and aunt, and they experienced guilt alongside feeling “angry and frustrated” due to her repeated returns to Todd. “He didn’t care for her at all,” Ms Turnbull remarked, further stating that they never encountered her without injuries caused by Todd. “We can’t stop thinking about her final days getting beaten up, repeatedly stamped on and rendered unconscious,” Ms Turnbull declared. “She died in pain and alone.” Mr Glenser indicated that Ms Eastick sustained 123 injuries over approximately two weeks, primarily concentrated on her face, head, and abdomen. The court was informed that some injuries might have been inflicted the day after Todd participated in a probation service session focused on domestic abuse and fostering healthier relationships. According to the court, Ms Eastick’s severe head injuries would have necessitated the application of considerable force. Mr Glenser stated that prosecutors investigated whether Todd had raped her but were unable to establish that sexual activity with her prior to her death was non-consensual. He asserted that only Todd could clarify his reasons for perpetrating “repeated serious beatings over a lengthy period,” but Ms Eastick must have endured “days and days of mental torment.” “She must have known what was coming,” Mr Glenser commented, noting that she had previously informed police she believed “it would end with him killing her.” During mitigation, Toby Hedworth KC described Todd as a “drunken, violent lout” who treated Ms Eastick as a “punch bag,” but maintained there was “no intention to kill,” further suggesting Todd was “not the brightest of souls” and lacked understanding of the full extent of the harm he inflicted. “He did, over a period of several days, very dreadful things,” Mr Hedworth stated. “He knows he has to pay the price for that.” Mrs Justice Lambert remarked that Ms Eastick’s family was left “devastated and shocked” by her demise. She noted that Todd subjected her to a “number of brutal attacks” executed with “great force,” encompassing stamps and kicks to her head, and blows that resulted in fractures to her facial bones, ribs, and spine. The judge characterized Ms Eastick as a “petite and fragile” woman incapable of self-defense, concluding that her final days must have been “terrifying and immensely painful.” She further stated that Ms Eastick was likely unconscious for a minimum of 24 hours, possibly several days, preceding her death, yet Todd failed to seek any medical assistance for her. Instead, he socialized with friends while she remained in his apartment, an action Mrs Justice Lambert described as demonstrating a “callous disregard” for her. The judge also observed that Todd evidently wielded “emotional power” over Ms Eastick, who perceived their relationship as “loving,” constituting a “violation of the trust and security that normally exists between people in an intimate relationship.” She additionally commented that any remorse expressed by Todd had “come very late in the day.”