Man become ‘unimaginable hulk’ and snapped glam trainer’s neck when she tried to go away him
WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT Robert Easom, 56, was accused of “snapping” the neck of mum-of-two Trudi Burgess, also 56, during a violent row sparked when she told him she was leaving him
A man has been found guilty of paralysing his ex-girlfriend when she tried to end their relationship. Trudi Burgess, 56, sobbed as she told a court how Robert Easom transformed into the “Incredible Hulk” during a horrific campaign of abuse from 2017 to 2025. One particular attack at Easom’s Lancashire home in February left her tetraplegic with paralysis from the chest down.
Easom was found guilty of the Section 18 Assault today (Monday November 24), following a trial. The monster had previously admitted to engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour between July 2017 and February 2025, alongside two offences of actual bodily harm.
Ms Burgess now needs round-the-clock care and will never regain the ability to walk. Prosecutor Sarah Magill informed the jury that Ms Burgess was mourning the recent loss of her husband to a brain tumour and was “emotionally vulnerable” when she encountered Easom, her sister’s gardener.
Ms Magill stated: “He offered his condolences and offered to do little jobs. They fell in love. It was initially everything she wanted – heady, loving and passionate. But you will hear that he became abusive and violent.”
The court was presented with disturbing accounts of the violence, including a 2021 incident when Easom “wrapped her head in a bed sheet until she was unable to breathe,” and another episode in January this year when he “head-butted her in their car after she complained they didn’t have enough crockery for dinner.”
Ms Magill detailed how Ms Burgess became “alienated” from her family due to Easom’s alleged abuse, finally deciding to leave him on 17 February this year.
When she declined and informed him of her plans to return home, Easom’s “sheer blind rage” was unleashed. “His reaction to this was sheer blind rage,” reiterated Ms Magill.
The court was told that Easom exclaimed: “Why do you always f****** do this? Causing an argument. You’re f****** doing it again’.
He began pacing in and out of the bedroom, prompting a frightened Ms Burgess to plead: “Rob I will stay, I will stay Rob, don’t hurt me.”
However, Easom’s fury escalated uncontrollably. “He went over to her and he put his arm up against her chest, pushing her forcefully against the headboard of the bed.
“He grabbed her throat and put his fist to her chin, shouting at her ‘you f****** stupid b****, what are you doing? Why do you do this?””.
Despite his pacing in and out of the room, Ms Burgess found herself trapped with no means of escape before he then dragged her to the end of the bed, face down.
The prosecutor went on: “He started to push down with his entire bodyweight on her head. She started to scream, she tried to tell him that he was killing her but she couldn’t speak.
“She will tell you that she felt it was cracking her skeleton. She was right – he was breaking her neck
“She heard a crack and all feeling left her body. She felt other parts of her body crack and go numb. She thought she was dying. He did not stop. He was shouting, ‘Shut the f*** up. I will shut you up’.”
Easom will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on February 27.
DC Bethanie Kirk, from the Burnley Vulnerable Adults Team, said: “Robert Easom is a manipulative and controlling individual with a warped sense of entitlement and repulsive views towards women.
“He poses a significant risk due to his violent and abusive behaviour. I welcome these convictions, which expose his abhorrent conduct for all to see.”
If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, Home – Victim Support.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
