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Daily Record
Daily Record
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Ross McCarthy & Chloe Burrell

Controlling thug boyfriend slammed partner's hand in car door breaking her finger

A terrified girlfriend was forced to seek support from strangers after her violent and abusive partner broke her finger by brutally slamming a car door on her hand.

Simon Williams, 35, also subjected the victim to a campaign of violence as well as destroying her self-confidence.

Williams, from Erdington, has now been handed a jail term of three years and two months after admitting to inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault, using controlling and coercive behaviour, common assault and intimidation.

Prosecutor at Birmingham Crown Court, Andrew Wallace, said that the thug had previously been given a suspended sentence in 2011 for assaulting his partner, Birmingham Live reports.

On February 22, 2019, they had a row in their car after a night out at the bingo.

Williams began punching her body and face before his victim managed to open the passenger door, but he pulled her back in. He The then went round to her side of the vehicle and slammed the door shut on her hand, fracturing her finger.

The victim managed to flee to a nearby address and cowered in the porch before the couple living there told Williams to go away.

On August 25 the thug attacked his partner at a family gathering. He grabbed her by the hair and then pushed her down the stairs, causing her head to hit a radiator.

He was later bailed by police but turned up at her home in the early hours, demanding the keys to a car. When she refused he punched her in the face causing a black eye.

On June 21 2020, after sending her text messages, Williams had again gone to his former partner's address with another person who had kicked the door.

In a statement the woman said that she had met Williams while at a low ebb and he had taken advantage of that.

"He alienated me from friends and family and put me down. I felt I had no worth," she said.

She said that he had even forced her out of bed and to sleep downstairs.

In passing sentence Recorder Charles Thomas told Williams: "Your behaviour to your partner, the woman who had shared a significant part of her life with you, was nothing short of appalling.

"You used serious violence towards her. It had the effect of intimidating her not only when she was with you but when she was not.

"She was so frightened she had to take refuge by cowering in the door of a nearby house of complete strangers. That, perhaps, epitomises the effect you had on her.

"She described the effect of your behaviour, feeling a lack of self worth, a lack of self confidence by the end of the relationship.

Domestic abuse help and support

Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone - find out how and where to get help.

Advice from the NHS says that if you are at risk of domestic abuse or violence you can:

The Survivor's Handbook from the charity Women's Aid is free, and provides information for women on a wide range of issues, such as housing, money, helping your children, and your legal rights.

Men can also email info@mensadviceline.org.uk, which can refer men to local places that can help, such as health services and voluntary organisations.

For forced marriage and "honour" crimes, contact Karma Nirvana (0800 5999 247) or The Forced Marriage Unit (020 7008 0151).

Galop provides support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic violence.

Anyone who needs confidential help with their own abusive behaviour can contact Respect on their free helpline on 0808 802 4040.

"You undermined her with put downs. You would control who she saw and check what she was doing during the course of the day.

"You used multiple methods to control her. It had a significant effect on the victim.

"You effectively destroyed her self confidence."

Lisa Hancox, defending, said of Williams: "He has finally realised their relationship is at an end.

"Their relationship was toxic. It was not a healthy one."

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