MAN POURED BLEACH ON PARTNER DURING CAMPAIGN OF ABUSE
A man from Exeter has been sentenced to prison for a pattern of domestic abuse that included acts such as pouring bleach on his frightened partner and urinating on her coat.Liam Gordge, aged 22, admitted to multiple assaults within their relationship, citing difficulty in coping with arguments and confrontations as his reason for lashing out.
The woman described Gordge as aggressive and controlling throughout their time together, and stated that her experiences during the relationship severely affected her well-being.
The most severe incident involved Gordge pouring bleach over her head after their dog urinated on the bed.
The judge commented that this act was characterised by a degrading tone.
Gordge, who does not have a fixed address, was sentenced to nearly two years in prison at Exeter Crown Court.
Court proceedings revealed that Gordge's abusive behavior began soon after the couple started dating in 2020.
The victim initially hesitated to report the abuse to police but did so in November of the previous year.
She recounted being at a relative’s house when Gordge became enraged because the dog urinated on the bed.
Instead of cleaning it with household bleach, he poured it over her while she was partially dressed, some of the liquid entering her mouth and causing skin irritation along with sleep disturbances.
Further incidents included Gordge urinating on her coat by placing it in the toilet after an argument in October, and slapping her, which resulted in bruising.
Violence escalated as he pushed and pulled her on the stairs, leading to her falling and injuring her arm without him checking her condition.
The final assault involved him pulling her to the ground by her hair and locking her out of the house when she threatened to call police.
She later sought help from a neighbor after he returned with a key.
Gordge initially claimed that her injuries might have been caused by her mental health issues.
He pleaded guilty to charges including assault causing actual bodily harm, four counts of battery, and criminal damage.
The victim expressed that living through his rage had eroded her self-esteem and hindered her ability to live normally.
Mr Michael Brown, defending, suggested that Gordge was suitable for a community order as his relationship was toxic.
However, Judge David Evans emphasised the seriousness of the offenses, noting they constituted a prolonged campaign of violence that warranted a custodial sentence.
