CARLISLE MAN JAILED FOR NIGHT OF TERROR INVOLVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Steven Farren, 34, began his night of prolonged and extreme violence after police had visited his home to conduct a “welfare check” because one of the woman’s friends had contacted them to express concern.Soon after the police officers had left, he attacked the woman, leaving her with black eyes and her body covered with bruises.
The victim, who had been in a relationship with the defendant, was staying with Farren after being made homeless.
He was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court after he earlier admitted an actual bodily harm assault and strangulation.
Prosecutor Kim Whittlestone described how the violence unfolded on the night of November 18 last year and into the following morning.
She said: “During the evening of the 18th, a welfare check was carried out by police as a friend had contacted them concerned for her safety.
They left but shortly after he became argumentative with her.
He’d been taking pregabalin and was upset.
She had done nothing wrong but that did not stop him assaulting her.” Farren, from Westmorland Street, Carlisle, insulted the woman before then punching and slapping her face.
He continued to punch her all over her body, including her stomach.
“He repeatedly punched her arm where she had a tattoo of an ex-partner’s name,” said the barrister.
“He stamped on her body and threw rice pudding all over her.
He told her he'd kill her and she genuinely believed it.
He hit her on top of the head, causing it to bleed.
Blood drips were found around the property consistent with her account of being dragged into the kitchen and him putting her head under the sink tap to wash away the blood.” When the woman pleaded with Farren to stop, he grabbed a knife and held it to her throat, threatening to kill her.
She had previously tried to leave him but he made her stay.
In the early hours he accused her of stealing his tablets, holding a hand on her neck to restrict her breathing.
“She thought she was going to die,” continued Miss Whittlestone.
The woman’s ordeal finally ended at 8am the following day when she persuaded Farren that she needed to go to the shops.
She fled to a neighbour’s home, and the police were immediately called.
When officers arrived, he refused to let them in and goaded his dog to bark at them.
He was eventually arrested after police forced entry and he was taken to the police station.
Marion Weir, defending, said Farren’s issue was alcohol.
“He knows his behaviour was unacceptable,” said the barrister.
Formerly a working man, Farren had lost his mother, and this triggered his drinking, leading to him losing his job.
This in turn led to more drinking.
Miss Weir added: “He recognises something needs to change if he is to stay out of prison in the future; and he recognises that this relationship is done.” Judge Michael Fanning said the offending represented a “huge breach of trust” on the defendant’s part, given that the victim was his former partner.
The judge noted also Farren’s previous convictions for violence and previous domestic abuse, and Farren’s efforts to stop the woman leaving.
“She was vulnerable, a young pregnant woman,” said the Judge.
The court was shown post-attack photos of the victim, her body covered with bruises caused by the violence.
Judge Fanning jailed Farren for three years.
A restraining order bans any future contact.
