A controlling relationship ended in tragedy when Robert Easom, 56, brutally attacked his ex-partner, Trudi Burgess, 57, after she announced her intention to leave. The incident, which occurred on February 17, 2025, left Burgess with severe injuries, resulting in her being paralysed and requiring constant care.
Easom has been found guilty of Section 18 Assault following a trial that revealed the extent of his abusive behaviour over their eight-year relationship. The court heard that he displayed a pattern of coercive and controlling actions, which had a devastating impact on Burgess’s mental and physical well-being.
Burgess, a former secondary school teacher, provided harrowing testimony from her hospital bed, recounting the moment of the attack. She described hearing her spine crack as Easom pinned her face down and applied his full body weight onto her neck until it snapped. “I heard my spine crack and my body becoming numb,” she said, recounting how she was informed she would never walk again.
According to the Lancashire Police, Easom had subjected Burgess to a relentless campaign of abuse. His controlling behaviour included physical violence, emotional manipulation, and threats. Burgess documented instances of abuse in her phone, detailing how he forced her to clean up messes, shouted at her, and even threatened her life during violent outbursts.
During one notable incident in York, Easom became enraged and physically dragged Burgess around a bathroom. He threatened her with a quote from the film Rambo, saying, “Don’t push or I’ll give you a war.” Despite multiple attempts to leave, Burgess felt trapped in a cycle of abuse, as Easom would plead for her to stay, often showing false remorse.
In 2021, he escalated the violence, strangling her with a sheet and later dismissing the attack as merely “teaching her a lesson.” The police noted that Easom’s manipulation eroded Burgess’s self-esteem, leaving her confused and dependent on him.
Detective Constable Bethanie Kirk of the Burnley Vulnerable Adults Team described Easom as “a manipulative and controlling individual with a warped sense of entitlement.” She expressed relief at his conviction, highlighting the need for accountability in domestic violence cases. “I commend the victim for her incredible bravery in coming forward,” Kirk added.
Easom, who now has no fixed address but was previously living in Chipping, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 27, 2026. His actions have not only left Burgess with lifelong injuries but have also profoundly affected her loved ones.
This case underscores the importance of addressing domestic abuse and supporting victims. If anyone feels unsafe in their relationship, authorities encourage them to seek help from local police or support services. The impact of such abuse extends beyond physical injuries, affecting mental health and overall quality of life.
