News of Doom 2.0

A MAN repeatedly headbutted his unconscious ex-girlfriend before attacking her sister in an attack so vicious one witness was physically sick.

Justin Higham’s ex-girlfriend had refused to restart a relationship with him, a court heard on Monday, and he launched the violent tirade on June 6 this year.

He headbutted her and she fell on to a nearby car bonnet when Higham then punched her in the face three times.

By the second punch she fell unconscious, and he then leaned on the car to use his full bodyweight to headbutt her again.

Her sister then tried to intervene but fell to the ground where Higham stamped on her foot and hand before kicking her three times in the back of the head.

After finishing his assault, which happened in Murdishaw, Runcorn, he walked “calmly” away, Warrington Crown Court heard on Monday.

But Higham, aged 33, got only three doors away before running back and kicking his ex-girlfriend’s sister again.

The court heard how a witness vomited at seeing the attack and thought the women would die.

He sentenced Higham, from Liverpool, to 12 months in prison, less the 70 days he has already spent on remand.

Detectives investigating a string of muggings are furious about the latest attack - a Brooklyn elevator assault captured on video - in which an 85-year-old woman is choked unconscious, then robbed of her cane and purse, police sources said yesterday.

Thursday's assault is one of 12 in which the same suspect has struck, targeting primarily elderly woman by following them into their buildings in broad daylight. He grabs them by the throat, police said, then steals whatever they have - cash, credit cards, even a Bible in one case - before fleeing on a dark mountain bike.

Thursday's footage shows the victim, Lillian France, 85, fighting for her life as the suspect grabs her from behind by her neck and appears to lift her as she struggles to break free. Once he gains control, he leaves her facedown and unconscious, her straw hat by her side, then grabs her cane and purse, which contained $900 she had just withdrawn from a bank.

France, whose face is obscured throughout most of the video, still hasn't recovered. She's been in Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center since the attack with neck wounds, as well as other injuries.

When France reaches the elevator and gets in, he follows and they ride to the fifth floor, with the suspect pointing to the door for her to leave first in a phony act of chivalry, the video shows. He then grabs France by the neck and doesn't let go until he overpowers her. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 800-577-TIPS.

Two teenagers are now behind bars after a disturbing home invasion on Thursday that targeted a disabled girl.

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones calls the crime one of the more disturbing crimes he's ever seen in his 30 plus years of law enforcement.

It featured two suspects he likens to juvenile "Bonnie and Clydes" preying on a disabled girl.

9News is told the two suspects entered the home on Thursday night with the intent of stealing the homeowner's car on Friday morning and then leaving the Tri-state area.

When that plan fell through after the homeowner went to work in the car, the pair allegedly took out their frustrations on a disabled 18-year-old girl found to be still inside the home.

9News was told the girl was bound, had her head shaved, was gagged, and beaten with a baseball bat over the course of several hours.

It is not yet clear whether she was also sexually assaulted.

The pair was caught soon after the girl's mother returned home, but not before the property was severely robbed and vandalized.

9News is told the victim, identified as 18-year-old Ashley Clark, required hospitalization but is expected to be fine.

"Pray to God for mercy on their [the suspects] souls," said Bobby Clark, the victim's father. He had trouble finding words when asked to describe the crime.

"It is a terrible, terrible crime. Remember, I told you that she was tied up, and was moved from room to room to room. She told them, 'Please don't hit me in the head! I have had brain surgery, please don't do that!,' and they struck her in the head more than one time. They had no remorse they didn't care," said Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones.