CAGED BY FEAR: SICK CONTROL OF EVIL ABUSER ROSS HICKEY
Ross Hickey, of Motherwell, has been convicted of domestic abuse following a sustained campaign of coercion, control, and violence against his former partner.At sentencing, the court imposed a three-year non-harassment order, prohibiting Hickey from contacting the victim.
The court heard distressing testimony detailing how Hickey isolated his partner over the course of their three-year relationship.
He forbade her from socialising, threatened her with violence, and told her that his family and friends would “batter” her if she ever spoke out.
He also claimed to know people who would “happily stab” her, leaving her too frightened to go to the police or media.
The abuse escalated to regular physical assaults.
Hickey spat in his partner’s face, body-slammed her against walls, smashed household belongings including her television and laptop, and slashed her bicycle tyres to prevent her from leaving home.
Financial control was another form of abuse.
He stole her bank card, used her money for gambling, and maintained access to her banking app on his own phone — leaving her and her young daughter without money for food or rent.
The victim’s health deteriorated severely during the relationship.
She was hospitalised with refeeding syndrome after being starved for prolonged periods, a potentially fatal condition caused when the body struggles to cope with food intake after extreme malnutrition.
Police intervened after learning of the scale of Hickey’s behaviour.
Despite the victim’s fears of testifying, prosecutors pressed ahead due to the seriousness of the crimes.
In court, Hickey attempted to downplay his actions, citing mental health issues.
However, the judge handed down a conviction and imposed the non-harassment order.
Hickey avoided a custodial sentence due to his lack of prior convictions, but campaigners have raised concerns over the leniency.
The victim has since spoken out, warning that Hickey remains a danger.
“I would not be surprised if I saw him in the papers for killing a woman or child one day,” she said.
