VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach man was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison after severely injuring his ex-girlfriend by beating her with a brick repeatedly in October 2023, according to the Office of the Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney.
Bobby Bland, 63, was convicted of malicious wounding, statutory burglary of a building with intent to commit rape/rob/murder/arson, and assault and battery of a family member charges. The Commonwealth said his sentence "greatly" exceeds what the state's guidelines recommend.
Nearly a week before the brutal attack in late October, the Commonwealth says Bland's ex-girlfriend evicted him from the apartment the two shared.
Carrying a brick, officials say Bland broke into the residence through a sliding glass door during the evening hours of Oct. 23, 2023, waking the victim up.
The victim grabbed her phone and ran to the front door but was followed by Bland who was allegedly threatening to kill her. As she was leaving the apartment, officials say Bland hit her in the head with a brick — striking her between 10 to 15 times.
A neighbor who heard the attack called 911, then held Bland at gunpoint until officers arrived.
"Police observed the victim bleeding profusely from the head and found a chunk of bloody brick next to her," according to a release from the Commonwealth. "Bland’s hands were covered in blood. As he was placed in a patrol car, Bland told police that the victim was lucky because he had been trying to kill her, and that she 'got what she deserved.'”
The victim suffered deep lacerations to her head, a brain bleed and injuries to her fingers. She was taken to a hospital where she received several staples.
