WOMAN HAD KNIFE HELD TO HER THROAT AND DOG FAECES FORCED IN HER MOUTH DURING CAMPAIGN OF HORRIFIC ABUSE
A man subjected his partner to a brutal campaign of physical and psychological abuse, including holding a knife to her throat and forcing dog feces into her mouth.Steven Farrell also placed a plastic bag over her head, threatening her with, "I'll kill you next time." Now 50 years old, Farrell has been sentenced to prison for these severe acts, which caused the woman to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
His bullying persisted throughout their relationship, which started shortly after his release from prison in October 2024.
Originally from east Manchester, Farrell, who frequently used cocaine, moved into his girlfriend’s home in Rossendale, east Lancashire, within months of meeting her, the Preston Crown Court was told.
Prosecutors described Farrell as 'pathologically jealous,' insisting on accompanying his partner to and from work.
He often destroyed her phone, confiscating it but then using it to reply to messages from her worried friends.
The court also heard that he physically assaulted her and gagged her to prevent her from screaming.
On April 25, when she refused to go clothes shopping with Farrell, he left to buy cocaine and returned shortly afterward, accusing her of infidelity.
During that incident, he held a plastic bag over her head and threatened to kill her, then later strangled her dog with its lead.
The following night, Farrell dragged her out of bed and hit her with a hairdryer, injuring her head.
She threw him out, but he returned early morning with a spare key.
Later that day, a neighbor overheard shouting and contacted police.
Farrell threatened the neighbor to stay silent, claiming they had only argued.
The next day, he falsely told her employer she had overslept after intentionally turning off her alarm.
At their home, Farrell held a knife to her throat and forced a dog waste bag into her mouth, which tore, causing feces to enter her mouth.
He also assaulted her, leaving bruises on her legs, breasts, and arm.
A friend of the victim arrived and called police.
Officers found her exhausted on the sofa, and she minimized her injuries as just "arguments." Farrell was present at the scene and attempted to flee but was arrested; he denied the accusations, claiming she was making them up.
He later admitted to controlling and coercive behavior, suffocation, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
The woman’s statement described her being covered in bruises and fearing for her life when the bag was placed over her head, believing he intended to kill her.
She now suffers PTSD, struggling with sleep, flashbacks, and trauma.
The judge, Recorder Michelle Brown, described Farrell's actions as aimed at humiliating, belittling, and instilling fear.
She highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse and his use of weapons and physical violence.
Farrell was sentenced to three years and five months in prison with an additional year on extended licence to protect the public, considering him a dangerous offender.
