'SERIAL ABUSER OF WOMEN' LOCKED UP FOR 33 MONTHS
In a case that has shocked the city of York, Paul David Thackray, a man with a troubling history of domestic abuse, has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for his latest acts of violence against a woman he was living with.The court heard that Thackray’s pattern of abusive behavior stretches back several years, with previous convictions for domestic violence and assault against multiple partners and even his own sister.
Judge Andrew Dallas described Thackray as a “serial abuser of women,” emphasizing the disturbing consistency of his offenses.
The recent incident involved Thackray inflicting severe physical harm on his latest girlfriend, leaving her battered, emotionally scarred, and financially destitute.
The victim, visibly distressed as she left York Crown Court, recounted her ordeal, stating, “No woman is safe with him.
Don’t have anything to do with him.” Her courage in speaking out was commended by the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS), which praised her bravery in ending her suffering.
The woman revealed that she remains deeply traumatized by the months of physical, emotional, and psychological abuse she endured.
She explained that she is still too scarred to return to her shared flat, which Thackray had lived in with her, and expressed her desire to regain her independence.
“I want to be able to live in my home, to be independent again,” she said.
“I don’t want to be scared of being in my home or in the city where I live.
I want to be able to walk down my street and not have to cover my face and body.” Details of the assault were particularly harrowing.
Prosecutor Jonathan Foy described how Thackray’s final attack involved throttling his victim, which caused her to vomit.
When she was taken to hospital, doctors found numerous bruises and performed a CT scan before keeping her under observation for 24 hours.
The injuries were so severe that her hospital stay was extended, highlighting the brutality of the attack.
Thackray’s history of violence was laid bare during the court proceedings.
It was revealed that while on parole from a previous sentence, he failed to attend a domestic abuse course and began living with a third woman, actions that prompted probation officers to recall him to prison.
His criminal record also includes assaults on a fourth partner and an incident involving his sister.
The judge made it clear that Thackray’s behavior was deliberate and targeted, turning his relationships into coercive and violent environments.
In addition to his prison sentence, Thackray, 28, formerly of York, was handed a ten-year restraining order to protect his latest victim.
He pleaded guilty to charges of actual bodily harm and two counts of assault.
Kirsten Mercer, representing Thackray, mentioned that he had experienced violence during childhood and was motivated to change his ways, though the court’s focus remained on his recent actions.
At the time of the sentencing, it was noted that Thackray had moved to Thirsk to live with a friend, as he was unemployed and not claiming benefits.
The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing threat he posed to women in York and beyond.
