I never gave up, says woman thrown from tower block

A woman thrown from a tower block window by her partner has spoken of how she endured years of recovery, uncertainty and trauma, holding on to the hope that justice would eventually be served.

Bobbie Goodman was 18 when she was thrown from the fourth floor of Merton House in Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, in November 2022.

Her partner at the time, 22‑year‑old Jordan Herring, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm at Birmingham Crown Court in January. He was cleared of attempted murder and will be sentenced on 13 April.

Waiting for a charging decision, a retrial and subsequent conviction took more than three years — an experience that tested her resilience but ultimately strengthened her determination to see the truth recognised, she told the BBC.

"My hope for getting to court was slowly decreasing," she said.

"I just didn't understand how, with the seriousness of what he did, it could take this long."

Rather than allow the passage of time to shake her resolve, she said it became part of her motivation.

"I kept going because I wanted justice — and I wasn't going to let him take that away too."

The BBC understands Herring was charged two years after he committed the offence and the Ministry of Justice believes court hearings in the case were held in a "timely manner".

Her attacker, from Lark Meadow Drive, Solihull was convicted of controlling and coercive behaviour at an earlier trial.

Jurors heard the teenager sustained catastrophic injuries after Herring threw her out of the window of his mother's flat. It took more than an hour for a 999 call to be made.

She was airlifted to hospital with a collapsed lung, shattered pelvis, broken ribs and fractures to her spine. She spent a month in hospital and several more in a wheelchair.

"It was very dehumanising," she said.

"I couldn't move, couldn't walk, couldn't wash myself. I really thought I might never walk again."

Asked how she felt about Herring now, she replied: "I have a lot of hatred for this man. He's ruined my life in so many ways.

"He's made me not want to trust another man ever again. But I hope someday, I will."

The abuse began at a property where she lived with Herring, she said.

"There were signs early on, but I didn't see them then," she said.

"It was controlling at first — mind games. No physical abuse. But then one day it just happened, and it escalated from there."

Young and inexperienced, she said she believed his apologies.

"He told me he was sorry, told me he loved me. I wanted to believe he didn't mean it."

Her willingness to speak about the early signs is part of what she now sees as her responsibility to help others.

Ms Goodman said she has only one clear memory of the night of the fall — something she believes is a trauma response.

"I only remember him hanging my head out of the window saying: 'I'll throw you out.'

"That's the only thing I recall."

In court, Herring claimed she threatened to jump and had thrown herself from the window.

CCTV showed him walking down the stairs afterwards rather than rushing to help. He told jurors he did care, but "didn't want to be the first one out".

He then carried her back upstairs rather than calling 999 immediately, saying he could not find a phone. Prosecutors said more than an hour passed before emergency services were contacted.

The delays faced by Goodman took place during a period of unprecedented strain on the Crown Court system.

Ministry of Justice statistics show the Crown Court open caseload hit 79,619 by September 2025 — a record high and up 9% year on year.

The government has acknowledged victims face unacceptably long waits for trials and has promised reforms based on Sir Brian Leveson's independent review, including what it describes as "record investment".

Domestic abuse charities say years‑long delays can leave victims traumatised and at risk of withdrawing from the justice process.

West Midlands Police secured 390 domestic‑abuse‑related charges in 2025 through evidence‑led prosecutions when victims felt unable to pursue complaints.

Officers say they remain committed to improving how domestic abuse is handled, including deploying specialist staff in 999 control rooms.

Despite suffering recurring nightmares and bouts of pain, Bobbie Goodman said she wants her experience to guide and empower other young people in similar situations, urging them to report domestic abuse.

For her, speaking out publicly is part of reclaiming her life.

"There is support out there," she said. "There is always someone who will listen."

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