Mum died in Yorkshire town centre after being hit in neck with mobile phone thrown by violent boyfriend

A mum collapsed and died from catastrophic injuries after being struck in the neck by a mobile phone thrown at her by her violent boyfriend.

Lloyd Birkby was jailed for five years for manslaughter today over the death of Levi Ogden in Halifax town centre.

Leeds Crown Court heard Birkby, 27, picked up the phone in a drunken rage and threw it at her as they argued during a night out together on November 3 last year.

The phone struck Ms Odgen, 26, in the neck, causing blood vessels to tear.

The injury led to bleeding to her brain and she suffered a cardiac arrest.

Dafydd Enough QC, prosecuting, said the incident was captured on CCTV.

Birkby then assaulted Ms Odgen's friend as his partner collapsed near to Silver Street.

Birkby continued to be aggressive as street angels and paramedics tried to help her as she lay dying.

The incident happened in the early hours of the morning as Birkby, Ms Ogden and her friend were on a night out together.

Mr Enoch said there had been an argument between the defendant and the two women and he walked away from them.

Further words were exchanged which appeared to anger Birkby and he crossed the road to walk back towards them.

Birkby kicked out at a passing taxi, shrugged off Ms Ogden's friend and picked up a mobile phone which had been dropped on the ground.

The prosecutor said: "Having picked up the phone he threw it very hard and struck her in the region of the neck."

The defendant then turned away and shoved Ms Ogden's friend.

Mr Enoch said: "The deceased staggered for a few seconds and then collapsed in a heap on the floor."

"It was an argument over nothing much.

"This was symptomatic of a history of mistrust."

Describing the attack, Mr Enoch said: "He threw it deliberately and with as much force as he could muster.

"He must have known, or ought to have known, that his actions were likely to cause really serious harm."

Birkby denied responsibility for Ms Ogden's death when he was interviewed and accused her friend of telling lies.

He later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assault.

The court heard police had attended reports of domestic violence between the couple on previous occasions.

Birkby also has previous convictions for witness intimidation and assault committed against his mother and sister.

Other offences on his criminal record include assaulting a police officer, breach of a restraining order and harassment.

Stephen Wood QC, mitigating, described Birkby as being immature.

He had been assessed by a doctor as having a mental age of an 11-year-old.

Mr Wood said Birkby had expressed remorse for what he had done.

He said: "This was clearly a spontaneous act.

"The tragic death of Levi Ogden was caused in a highly unusual way and in a way that could not be reasonably foreseen."

Sentencing Birkby, Judge Geoffrey Marson, QC, said: "You will have to carry with you the knowledge that you have deprived your children of their mother.

"No doubt it will affect them throughout all of their lives."

After the hearing Detective Inspector Natalie Dawson, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “This case is a tragic reminder to all of what can happen when excessive force is used to try and resolve a situation.

"Levi’s death was completely unnecessary and demonstrates the perils of people resorting to violence.

“We welcome today’s sentence and hope it can bring Levi’s family some closure knowing the man who caused her death is now behind bars.

“Our sympathies remain with her family and friends and everyone who knew her and I would like to praise the bravery they have shown throughout the court process.”