BULLY BOYFRIEND REGULARLY BEAT UP PARTNER IN RELATIONSHIP FROM HELL
Craig Leese, aged 39, subjected his partner to persistent domination and abuse, making her life difficult for eight months.He physically assaulted her and used verbal threats and insults, controlling her movements tightly.
Leese, driven by jealousy, restricted her from leaving for shopping or seeking medical care for her injuries.
During a court hearing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, it was revealed that he attacked her both in public spaces and at their home, boasting about his cruelty to friends.
His arrest followed a particularly severe assault when police discovered her in a terrified state.
Although granted bail with a condition to stay away from her, Leese suspected she was in contact with another man.
This suspicion led him to punch her in the face and kick her, causing injury to her ear.
When she retreated to call police, he reacted furiously, striking her on the head and pulling her hair.
As a result, Leese was sentenced to 32 months in prison.
Prosecutor Matthew Ness explained that Leese and the victim began their relationship in December 2023, but his behavior quickly deteriorated into aggression and violence.
He recounted: "Leese would drag her by her arms or hair around their home, forbid her from visiting shops alone, and demanded her keys to prevent her from leaving.
He subjected her to frequent physical abuse, starting with slaps that escalated over time.
He insulted her with derogatory terms and inflicted injuries including a split lip and rib damage, refusing her access to hospital treatment and smashing her phone to hinder her from calling for help." The court heard of an incident outside Costcutters in Blurton where Leese demanded money, punched her in the face, and shoved her into the street.
Once home, he struck her temple until she felt dizzy, and the following day, he boasted about the assault to friends.
On another occasion, he followed her after she left a friend's house, dragged her by the hair, and punched her ribs outside a supermarket.
A witness observed that Leese appeared to use full force; the victim was crying and asked for help.
The defendant dragged her away and then, upon returning home, forcibly pinned her against a wall, took her upstairs, and locked her in while he continued to assault her, even punching her on the stairs.
Leese's behavior included threatening her with a broken jaw if she made noise, and he later falsely claimed to police that they were engaging in consensual sex.
He pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behavior.
Kelly Cyples, his solicitor, argued that Leese offered shelter to the homeless victim and stated he had been in custody since August 14, planning to return to Yorkshire after his release with intentions to lead a lawful life.
The judge, Recorder Robert Smith, noted that Leese and his victim started their relationship late 2023 and both used drugs, particularly monkey dust.
His violent conduct included grabbing her hair, slapping, punching, and insulting her, causing multiple injuries and preventing her from seeking medical help.
The court described Leese as a jealous, controlling, and violent individual who inflicted suffering on his partner for eight months and posed a threat to any woman involved with him.
As a condition of his sentence, Leese was issued a restraining order banning him from contacting her or visiting any location where he knows she resides for ten years.
