BRANDON TAYLOR

A man from Aspatria, Brandon Taylor, aged 24, who has a history of domestic offences, is set to be sentenced by a crown court judge after repeatedly abusing his partner through violence and control.

During the proceedings at Carlisle’s Rickergate court, Taylor admitted to the charges related to coercive and controlling behavior over a period exceeding three months, along with threatening to set fire to his sister’s house and causing her actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor George Shelley detailed the case, explaining that Taylor, residing on Sheila Fell Close in Aspatria, began a relationship with the woman and on November 18, when in a Wigton pub where she had previously been employed, she attempted to speak with certain individuals.

However, Taylor prevented her from doing so, leading her to leave the pub and go home.

He followed her home and assaulted her there, dragging her out by her hair and punching her in the face, resulting in swelling.

At this time, the incident was not reported to authorities.

On November 24, a friend of the woman contacted the police, expressing concern about Taylor’s treatment of the partner.

The friend had witnessed Taylor assault her six days earlier, but despite the investigation, no formal report of the assault was filed.

The next serious incident happened on December 6 in a Carlisle pub, when a friend of Taylor’s made the woman feel uncomfortable, prompting her to tell Taylor she wished to leave.

Taylor then dragged her outside, bit her on the face, and led her toward the railway station and Court Square.

He seized her cellphone, threw it towards the railway tracks, and physically assaulted her by punching and elbowing her in the face.

She attempted to push him away, but he then bit her thumb, causing her pain.

After she screamed, Taylor fled the scene.

The woman took a taxi to her sister’s address, but Taylor arrived about ten minutes later, angry at seeing her.

He grabbed a chair, and despite his sister trying to intervene, he punched and headbutted her, causing a bleeding nose.

When she called police, Taylor seized her phone and threatened to burn down her house.

It was revealed that Taylor has a criminal record with 20 offenses, including previous charges for coercive and controlling behavior, for which he was jailed, as well as for stalking.

Deputy District Judge Natalie Wortley noted that these crimes warranted sentences longer than she could impose and remanded Taylor in custody, sending the case to Carlisle Crown Court, where he is scheduled to be sentenced on January 15.

Originally, Taylor was charged with two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm to his partner, but these charges were dropped, as the violence was included within the broader coercive and controlling behavior offence.