WOMAN SAYS EX PARTNER 'RUINED HER LIFE' AFTER 'REPEATED INCIDENTS OF PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE'
A violent and controlling bully angrily strangled his terrified girlfriend, causing her to fear that she was going to die, during a relentless and vindictive campaign of physical and emotional abuse that "ruined" her life.Callous and aggressive Sam Drewery regularly cheated on the woman during their "rocky" relationship and, on other occasions, he hurled "nasty" insults, punched her, damaged her car and hid a secret tracking device inside it, Hull Crown Court heard.
Drewery, 33, of Hull Road, Anlaby, but recently in custody on remand, admitted using controlling or coercive behaviour in Grimsby, between July 30, 2022 and October 6 last year.
He originally denied the offence but he pleaded guilty on the day of a scheduled trial before Hull magistrates.
Amber Hobson, prosecuting, said that Drewery and the woman were in a relationship for about three years and they had a son.
There were numerous incidents of physical and emotional abuse from Drewery, including calling her "nasty names" and isolating her from her family and friends.
He was repeatedly unfaithful to her.
During a drink-fuelled argument on July 31, 2022, Drewery punched the woman several times in the face and head, causing swelling to her head and eye.
There was another argument on October 7, 2022 and he accused her of cheating on him.
He smashed the windows of her car and tried to start a fire.
He pushed her, causing a cut and grazing to her forehead and a busted lip.
"The relationship became rocky," said Miss Hobson.
The woman was aware of Drewery being unfaithful and she confronted him.
He told her that she was a "nutter" and, during an argument, he lashed out at her and punched her on her knee before kicking a hole in a door.
He bombarded her with text messages, calls and flowers, begging her to get back into a relationship with him.
They did so but he continued to call her nasty names and to assault her.
He strangled her and put his arm around her neck, causing her to feel like she was going to die.
On March 29, 2023, he punched her to her head, causing a bump to her head.
On June 7, 2023, he angrily punched her on her knee and shouted at her.
"He punched her again, hitting her hand," said Miss Hobson.
On another occasion, he told her to look in the boot of her car – and she found a tracking device.
After they separated, Drewery threatened to damage the woman's car.
"She was scared of what he would do," said Miss Hobson.
"He threatened to come to her house and smash her car.
"This was persistent abuse over a prolonged period of time, a three-year period.
There was fear of violence on multiple occasions.
There were multiple incidents of violence used against her." The woman later said: "This has ruined my confidence.
He has ruined my life and continues to ruin my life.
I am constantly worried about my car, my home, my family and my son." During police interview, Drewery made denials.
He had convictions for 43 previous offences, including four of causing criminal damage.
Julia Baggs, mitigating, said that they were deeply unpleasant incidents and Drewery behaved in a wholly unacceptable way.
"He is determined not to repeat this again," said Miss Baggs.
Drewery was now in a new relationship.
He had been in custody for three-and-a-half months.
He had previously worked in the scrap metal business.
Deputy circuit judge Timothy Clayson told Drewery: "The relationship was characterised by repeated incidents of physical and emotional abuse.
There were numerous incidents of violence and emotional abuse.
"You would assault her and isolate her from her family and friends and you would use violence towards her, especially when you were intoxicated.
You would be unfaithful to her and you would make threats towards her.
"You were undermining of her emotionally and you made false allegations of infidelity.
The worst incident was strangling her to the point where she almost lost consciousness.
This had a major psychological effect on her.
It's a really unpleasant thing to do to be violent and undermining of the person who you are supposed to love." Drewery was jailed for two years and eight months and he was given a five-year restraining order.
