LIVERPOOL MAN SPARED JAIL DESPITE ABUSIVE PAST
A man identified as Matthew Coppell, aged 40, who was found guilty of controlling behaviour and common assault, has been sentenced following a long history of abuse towards his ex-girlfriend.The court heard that Coppell had physically and emotionally abused her over three years, with arguments occurring weekly in the last year of their relationship.
The abuse included pulling her hair, grabbing her wrists, placing his hands around her neck, dragging her into rooms when she tried to leave, and punching her in the face.
The victim admitted that the abuse made her want to take her own life.
On a specific incident on November 2, an argument about washing her hands in the wrong sink escalated, leading to Coppell pulling her hair, and she responded by striking him with a tin of beans.
During the assault, she attempted to call police but Coppell took her phone, removed the battery, and then restrained her on the sofa with a blanket over her face, causing her to have difficulty breathing and leaving a bruise on her neck and collarbone.
He then expressed a desire to kill her for the first time.
The court was told that she had thoughts of suicide and had attempted overdose, calling emergency services for help.
The prosecution highlighted that Coppell had known the complainant for nine years and moved from Liverpool to Hull over six years ago to live with her.
The judge sentenced him to a nine-month prison term, suspended for two years, and ordered additional restrictions including a 30-day rehabilitation activity and an electronically monitored curfew for six months.
The judge emphasized the profound impact of his actions, stating, “Your offending had a profound effect upon the complainant.
You terrified your victim.
You terrorized her.” The court also found that Coppell's behavior was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, though it was suspended due to the defendant's mental health issues.
He is now back in Liverpool, and the court made it clear that he must not contact the victim for a year or set foot on her street.
The article also notes that Coppell showed remorse and expressed a desire for support, recognizing the severity of his actions and the impact on his victim.
