Luke Fendick’s stepmum said the attack had left her “a prisoner in her own home”
Luke Fendick, of Sutton Street, Old Swan(Image: Merseyside police)
A man burst into his estranged dad’s home and attacked his stepmum with a claw hammer. Luke Fendick, 46, arrived “unannounced and uninvited” at the family home in Wavertree on October 17 2023, several years after falling out with them.
He demanded to see his father – who was at the time recovering from major surgery and chemotherapy – before lashing out at his stepmum, Anne Ramsden. Opening the case at Liverpool Crown court today, November 10, prosecutor Ken Grant said: “The defendant attended the front door unannounced and uninvited, and to use the words used by the victim, he bounced into the house, demanding to know where his father was.
“The victim enquired about what the issue was, and the defendant responded ‘you know what’s up and what’s happened’. He then removed a claw hammer from a backpack that he was carrying.
“He held that hammer up with the claw facing the victim. He said ‘I’m going to kill youse’. The defendant then swung the hammer towards the victim.
“She raised her left arm to defend herself, and at the same time she moved back, but the hammer struck her on the left wrist, causing a deep laceration and bruising.”
Ms Ramsden’s daughter-in-law, who was present at the time, “jumped up” and struggled with Fendick. The victim’s screams also alerted her grandson, who was upstairs in the property, and Fendick was thrown out of the house.
Police were called and the 46-year-old was arrested at the scene at around 2.15pm. Ms Ramsden was taken to Royal Liverpool Hospital, where she received stitches in her wrist.
In a victim statement, she said: “Since I was attacked by Luke I have been really scared of him coming back to do it again. My mental health has suffered massively and I have never had any problems prior to the attack. On a day to day basis I feel I have lived each day in total fear and I have become a prisoner in my own home.
“I never use public transport in case Luke is on the bus or train; I don’t drive so the only time I go out is with my partner or my friend. Even then I’m looking around to make sure I’m safe. I have nightmares most nights. I have really bad panic attacks.”
Lloyd Morgan, defending Fendick, said: “He has no previous convictions. The pre-sentence report indicates he has displayed genuine and high levels of remorse. Not only does he not have any previous convictions but he has what may be described as a good character., having been employed for many years.
“Also the actions that he has taken with respects to his ex-partner. Fendick provides care for her, both financial and practical care. Were he to go to prison, then it would have an impact on her and her daughter.”
Fendick pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Sentencing, Mr Recorder N. Williams said: “While this was a nasty injury, it was one blow. You have no previous convictions. You have expressed genuine, high level remorse. You have to some degree a mental disorder in depression and anxiety. (Your counsel) highlights the fact that you are, to some extent a carer for your former partner. It’s apparent you have taken steps to deal with an addiction to amphetamines.”
But he added: “In aiming for the victim’s head as she described, raising her arm in order to protect head and receiving what can only be described as defensive wounds, the injuries could have been far worse. The injury that was foreseeable was far worse than the injury sustained.”
He sentenced Fendick, of Sutton Street, Old Swan, to 39 months in prison. He also made three restraining orders banning Fendick from contacting his dad, Ms Ramsden, and her daughter-in-law.