BODYBUILDER CAUGHT ATTEMPTING TO POISON PARTNER WITH LAXATIVES
A 'bullying' bodybuilder who attempted to 'poison' his partner with laxatives as a means of controlling her has received a 26-week suspended jail sentence.Paul Anthony Williams, from Rhyl, Denbighshire, admitted twice attempting to administer a noxious substance with intent at Mold Crown Court.
He was previously jailed for three months for harassing Laurie Williams, aged 29, the mother of his child.
Judge Niclas Parry stated: 'You were prepared to see her suffer.' The court heard that over a two-year period, Williams' obsessive controlling behaviour caused their relationship to deteriorate.
During a reconciliation in December last year, when Williams was staying at her home, he twice tried to dissolve over-the-counter Senna laxative tablets in hot drinks for her.
Prosecutor Caroline Harris explained: 'In giving her laxatives in this way, the inference is that the defendant was intending to cause his partner the annoyance of an upset stomach as a further means of controlling her.' She recounted an incident where Williams offered to make her a cup of hot chocolate, which she threw away after noticing the tablets.
Forensic analysis later confirmed the presence of Senna in the cups, the effect of which would cause diarrhea and fluid loss.
Williams denied everything to police; however, the forensic analysis showed traces of Senna.
The judge remarked: 'You were bodybuilding, taking steroids, and acting like the big man.
At the same time, you were bullying the vulnerable mother of your young child.
You effectively attempted to poison her.
You were prepared to see her suffer a miserable and debilitating illness, in order to control her movements.' Williams pleaded guilty, but only at the last moment, which the judge described as 'a deliberate course of conduct - and administering a poison is a sinister and worrying development.' Fortunately, the effects, though miserable, did not require medical attention and were not long-lasting.
The court decided on a more constructive sentence, considering Williams' employment.
He received a 26-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, pay £750 in compensation to Ms Williams, and cover £1,500 in prosecution costs.
