LIAM PRESSLEY FROM CLAPTON AND STEVENAGE RELEASED FROM PRISON AFTER VIOLENT ATTACK ON TEENAGE GIRL

In October 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Liam Pressley, a 28-year-old man with a notorious surname linked to a gangster family, who has recently been released from incarceration. The victim, a teenage girl from Stevenage, has come forward to warn others about Pressley's violent tendencies and the danger he poses, especially now that he is potentially at large.

Pressley, who has adopted the surname Gambino on his Facebook profile and was born with the surname Taylor, pleaded guilty on August 29 to charges of causing actual bodily harm (ABH) and assault by beating his teenage girlfriend during the summer of the previous year in Stevenage. Despite receiving a sentence of 14 months in prison at Peterborough Crown Court, his time behind bars was complicated by prior legal issues. He had already been detained since February after breaching a suspended sentence related to renting out properties he did not own. Like many inmates, Pressley was released early on parole, having served roughly half of his sentence.

The victim, who requested anonymity for her safety, expressed her fear that Pressley might already be free and potentially seeking her out. She told the local newspaper, the Comet, that her experience has left her physically and psychologically scarred. "It’s not fair that he has done this to me. It’s messed my head up physically and psychologically," she said. She emphasized the importance of public awareness, stating, "It’s important other people know what he is like and I would feel a lot safer if he was in prison where you can’t be tracked by him." Her fear is compounded by her belief that Pressley might come across as a charming individual, but she insists that everyone needs to understand what he is truly capable of.

Evidence presented during the court proceedings detailed a violent incident in July or August 2016. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Pressley was in a pub when he learned that his girlfriend had told a friend she believed he was lying about having cancer. This revelation led to an argument over the phone, which escalated when Pressley arrived at her address. The court heard that he physically restrained her by grabbing her arms and chest, forcing her to the ground while claiming he was trying to restrain her. The situation worsened when he placed his right hand around her throat and squeezed tightly, then pressed a pillow over her face with such force that she was unable to breathe. The incident was so loud that neighbors in Stevenage made a noise complaint to the local council.

Further violence occurred on February 4 of the following year. The victim, having stayed away from her home over the weekend due to fear of encountering Pressley, returned to her address. When she told him to leave, a heated argument ensued, culminating in Pressley grabbing her by the back of her left shoulder and throwing her to the ground outside her home. This incident added to the pattern of controlling behavior, although a charge related to this was left on file.

Pressley's criminal history also includes a conviction in June 2016 for two counts of fraud by false representation, after he offered properties for rent that he did not own. For this offense, he received a 40-week jail sentence, suspended for two years. His recent convictions resulted in a total of 11 months in prison for the ABH, three months for the assault by beating, and two months for breaching the suspended sentence related to the rental fraud.

At the court hearing, Pressley's address was listed as Ickburgh Road in Clapton, London. He is now subject to a restraining order that prohibits him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly, from going to her address or street, and from visiting Letchworth. The legal restrictions aim to protect her from further harm and prevent any potential encounters with Pressley in the future.