A man has been sentenced to five years in prison for throwing his girlfriend out of a fourth-floor window in a fit of jealousy, falsely claiming to the police that she had jumped. Jordan Herring, 22, pushed 18-year-old Bobbie Goodman from a high-rise flat in Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, West Midlands. Disturbing CCTV footage captured the moment Bobbie fell nearly 40ft to the ground from Merton House at 11:22 pm on November 12, 2022.
Despite sustaining severe injuries including a collapsed lung, shattered pelvis, broken ribs, and a fractured spine, Bobbie survived after spending a month in intensive care followed by additional time in a wheelchair.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Herring, under the influence of cannabis, became enraged after questioning Bobbie about messages on her phone from other men. The prosecution explained that Herring had previously assaulted Bobbie twice and had been aggressive while interrogating her about the messages.
The court also heard that Herring took Bobbie to his mother’s residence at Merton House to avoid her concerned family members who were searching for her. Bobbie arrived at the location with visible injuries, including black eyes and marks on her neck, and was made to conceal her appearance by wearing multiple hoodies.
According to Bobbie’s account, Herring threatened to harm her near the window before the incident occurred, although she had no recollection of the actual fall. CCTV footage captured Herring calmly descending the stairs after the incident, followed by his mother, who then retrieved Bobbie, wrapped her in a blanket, and carried her back inside. Emergency services were only called more than an hour later, leading to Bobbie being airlifted to the hospital in critical condition.
Herring had initially claimed that Bobbie fell after a dispute over cheating allegations and that she climbed out of the window herself. However, he was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and was acquitted of attempted murder.
The presiding judge, Simon Drew KC, labeled Herring as a “dangerous offender” and extended his license period by a year, emphasizing Herring’s controlling and coercive behavior towards Bobbie. In a victim impact statement, Bobbie expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal despite enduring physical and emotional trauma, highlighting the controlling nature of her relationship with Herring.
Herring’s defense attorney, Nicholas Berry, cited his client’s troubled upbringing, marked by parental trauma, substance abuse, and emotional struggles, as contributing factors to his actions.