LIAM LAIDLAW OF HULL SENTENCED FOR VIOLENT ASSAULT ON EX-GIRLFRIEND

A woman feared for her life after her former partner, Liam Laidlaw, violently assaulted her following a petty argument, Hull Crown Court heard. Laidlaw, 24, from east Hull, was described as a "violent bully" after he reportedly 'flew at her' and restrained her by the throat during a terrifying confrontation. He pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm on June 20 of last year, as reported by Hull Live.

Prosecutor Stephen Welch explained that the incident stemmed from an argument about food related to a recent christening. During the dispute, Laidlaw allegedly told the woman, "If you want to start being a c***, then I can start being a c*** too," escalating the situation. He twisted her leg, forced her onto a sofa, pinned her legs down, and applied pressure to her back. Additionally, he took her door keys and refused to give them back. The situation intensified when Laidlaw ‘flew at her’ again, grabbing her by the neck and forcing her head onto the floor.

"She felt in fear of her life," Mr. Welch said. The woman sustained a bad headache, dizziness, nausea, a scratch on her hand, redness to her face, and bruising on her stomach and ear. She later expressed relief that Laidlaw was no longer in her life, stating, "I am scared in case I see him again when I am out. What he did is always in the back of my mind."

Judge Sophie McKone addressed Laidlaw directly, describing his actions as "behaving like a violent bully" toward his girlfriend and the mother of his child. She highlighted the triviality of the argument, which led to Laidlaw insulting her, twisting her leg causing significant pain, and pinning her down by force. She specifically noted that Laidlaw held her by the throat for approximately five seconds, causing her to believe she was going to die.

In sentencing, Laidlaw was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was also given a five-year restraining order.