Controlling boyfriend who hurled teenage girl 40ft from fourth-floor flat is jailed for five years

Published: 16:12, 13 April 2026 | Updated: 16:16, 13 April 2026 A controlling boyfriend who hurled a teenage girl from a 40ft tower block has been jailed for five years.  Jordan Herring, 22, threw his girlfriend from the fourth floor of Merton House in Solihull, Birmingham, shortly after 11.20pm on November 12 2022.  CCTV footage captured Bobbie Goodman plummeting almost 40ft on to a grass verge below. Remarkably, she survived after her head missed the concrete pavement by a matter of inches.  The then-18-year-old suffered a collapsed lung, shattered pelvis, broken ribs and a smashed spine from the fall.  She spent a month in intensive care and became dependent on a wheelchair for several months after she was discharged. She continues to be in constant pain from her back and pelvis.  A court heard Herring attacked his partner and interrogated her during a cannabis-fuelled rage after he found messages from other men on her Snapchat account.  Ms Goodman told police how Howard had warned his victim moments before she was hurled: 'I will throw you out, I will kill you.' The teenage girl had moved in with Herring in April 2022 at Merton House, Birmingham Crown Court heard, when her family became concerned after she suffered bruises and black eyes.  Jordan Herring, 22, threw his girlfriend from a 40ft tower block in Solihull on November 12, 2022 Herring became 'repeatedly verbally and physically abusive' and exercised 'increasing control over her and her life' - which left Ms Goodman feeling 'worthless and empty'. The defendant, of Solihull, was previously convicted of causing grievous bodily harm but cleared of attempted murder at Birmingham Crown Court.  He had been found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour against the same victim following a previous trial.  Sentencing, Judge Simon Drew KC said Herring was a 'dangerous offender' and also extended his licence period for a year.  He told the defendant: 'You started a relationship with the victim in February 2022. At the time she was 17 and you were 18.  'You had recently been released from a prison sentence and you were living with your grandmother and in April 2022 she moved in to live with you. 'From the evidence I have heard, she was increasingly withdrawn form her family. It is clear you began to exercise increasing control over her and her life. 'She had become dependent on you. In October 2022 you started to check her mobile phone.  Footage shows Bobbie Goodman (in the highlighted box mid left) thudding into a grass verge after her fall 'There were suspicions both ways in relation to contact with others. You were repeatedly verbally and physically abusive towards her.' The judge added that by early November Ms Goodman's family became 'increasingly concerned about' the teenage girl. Herring had locked his girlfriend in a bedroom at the flat on the night and smoked cannabis which led to paranoia, the court heard.  Judge Drew continued: 'You were at time arguing about cheating. She had no recollection of you throwing her out of the window.  'I have seen the CCTV footage and it is a pretty shocking piece of footage. She falls something in the order of 40ft from the fourth floor.  'She was fortunate to hit the grass area and not the pavement only a few feet away from where she landed. You can see her bounce.  'You made no attempt to give her first aid and you tried to cover up what had taken place.  'You tried to coerce her into lying about what had happened.'  The victim, then 18, narrowly avoided a concrete path when she hit the floor - but luckily survived Jamie Scott, prosecuting, said before the fall Herring had assaulted Ms Goodman twice as well as interrogating her over Snapchat messages he found. He added: 'It appears that this offence was provoked through Herring's cannabis consumption and his violent jealousy.' The court was told Herring had taken Ms Goodman to Merton House, where his mother Kerrie-Anne Grogan also lived, to avoid the teenager's concerned family who had been looking for her.  She was already 'battered and bruised' with two black eyes and marks to her neck, which Herring made her hide by wearing two hoodies.  The footage showed Herring 'strolling' down the stairs, followed by his mother, picking the teenager up from the grass verge, wrapping her in a blanket and then carrying her back up to the flat.  The mother and son did not call emergency services until more than an hour later, when the teenager had to be airlifted to hospital in a critical condition and required a blood transfusion.  Herring claimed the teenage girl climbed out of the window herself and fell after they fought about cheating allegations.  In a victim statement Ms Goodman, now 21, said: 'What Herring did to me has affected me in many ways.  'I am extremely lucky to be alive. To be honest I have no idea how I survived what happened to me.  'I am lucky to have a loving family around me to help me with my injuries and rehabilitation. I realised I was constantly controlled. 'I am in constant pain with my back and pelvis. He made me feel worthless and empty and had total control of my life. 'I woke up in hospital not knowing what had happened. I have always been afraid of heights.' Nicholas Berry, defending, said: 'He had a significantly difficult childhood. 'He was exposed to considerable parental trauma, drugs and alcohol. 'He has struggled with anger, paranoid thoughts and drug use and an inability to process his emotions.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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