THUG WHO REPEATEDLY ATTACKED HIS PARTNER AND THREATENED HER WITH KNIVES AS SHE WAS PREGNANT HAS HAD HIS SENTENCE INCREASED
Billy Barker-Holden, aged 23, moved in with his partner at her residence, where his behavior became increasingly aggressive and argumentative whenever he was unable to obtain cannabis.Over a span of five months, Barker-Holden engaged in a pattern of controlling and coercive actions towards his partner.
He dictated her choice of clothing, restricted her from wearing makeup, prevented her from taking her phone upstairs, and isolated her from friends and neighbors.
His violent conduct included throwing a drink in her face, hurling a full bottle of Coca-Cola at her stomach, detaining her inside the house, grabbing her by the neck, and refusing permission for her to seek medical attention when she was bleeding and pregnant.
Barker-Holden admitted guilt to charges of causing grievous bodily harm and controlling or coercive behavior.
He received a two-year prison sentence at Leeds Crown Court on September 8.
Subsequently, the case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme by the Solicitor General on November 5.
The appellate court found the sentence to be too lenient and increased it to three years.
Following the appeal, Solicitor General Alex Chalk MP commented that Barker-Holden's history of violence against partners necessitated a fitting punishment, emphasizing that domestic violence would not be tolerated and expressing hope that the decision reassured the victim.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported in September that Barker-Holden had subjected his partner to months of violence and controlling conduct at her Leeds home.
The prosecution, led by Caroline Abrahams, explained that the relationship began in October of the previous year and was initially positive until Barker-Holden moved in February.
Ms Abrahams detailed the controlling and aggressive behaviors over the subsequent months, including forbidding her from wearing makeup and keeping her phone downstairs.
An incident on May 20 involved him throwing a drink at her after accusing her of infidelity, and telling her he wanted to glass her but stopped himself to avoid imprisonment.
During an argument over texts, he locked her inside and punched a wall, then held her by the neck so tightly she couldn't breathe.
Despite apologizing and promising anger management help, he continued the violence after she discovered she was pregnant on May 27, with the pregnancy still unresolved at the time.
