EX-PARATROOPER JAILED FOR A YEAR OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CRUELTY
An ex-paratrooper was condemned as 'vile and pathetic' after subjecting his partner to a year of violent and abusive behavior.Dean O'Hanlon, aged 36, from Erdington, assaulted his girlfriend with a dog cage, bathroom door and broom, and physically shoved and kicked her within her own home.
He also subjected her to severe psychological cruelty and verbal abuse, calling her names such as 'fat, ugly, useless rat', 'horrible mess', and repeatedly telling her to kill herself.
A judge described O'Hanlon as deploying a 'domestic abusers' playbook', blaming the victim for his actions, offering false apologies, and blackmailing emotionally.
O'Hanlon also mocked the 'schoolboy attempts at poetry' he sent her from prison, begging her to 'drop' the charges.
The court heard he served in the Parachute Regiment and toured Afghanistan but was diagnosed with PTSD after witnessing a friend's death by an IED.
He had other mental health issues and self-medicated with illegal drugs.
Birmingham Crown Court was told he had requested a suspended sentence due to his child's injury in a car accident, but the judge ruled the case 'too bad' for leniency.
O'Hanlon was sentenced to two years and three months after pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behavior.
The court described his behavior as wicked and cruel, highlighting months of psychological torment.
Prosecutor Thomas Griffiths detailed how his aggression escalated over time, including attacking her with a metal cage, locking her out of her own home, hitting her with a brush, and calling her degrading names.
O'Hanlon's abusive behavior extended to threatening emails, where he warned his partner she would suffer and that he could make her life a 'living hell'.
He also forced his way into her house, kicked her, and assaulted her with a tracksuit.
Neighbors intervened when he threatened her with violence.
O'Hanlon's arrest followed when he was found hiding behind a garden shed, and he attempted to influence the case from custody with a letter implying remorse and urging her to drop charges.
Judge Peter Cooke condemned the 'manipulative' tactics and expressed that only immediate custody could deliver the appropriate punishment, describing his treatment of the victim as wicked and cruel.
Defense barrister Clare Rennie acknowledged ongoing mental health treatment and remorse but was unsuccessful in convincing the court to suspend the sentence.
O'Hanlon was thus sentenced to 27 months in prison.
