A man who was convicted yesterday for abusing his ex-girlfriend, both physically and emotionally, has today admitted trying to get her to withdraw her complaint.
The man, who can't be named to protect her identity, is awaiting sentence after being found guilty of coercive control, intimidation and multiple assault charges.
His sentence hearing is due to take place in January, which will provide the woman with a chance to address the court.
During the trial, she recounted distressing details of the abuse her ex-boyfriend subjected her to during their relationship.
She told the court that he had put a cigarette out on her foot, smashed her phone, cut her face with a pizza slicer, and controlled her finances and who she talked to.
The jury heard the man threatened to drown her in a river and also threatened to kill her family and make her watch. He told her he was “willing to do time” for her.
She outlined multiple acts of violence visited upon her, especially when he was drinking. On one occasion, he broke her arm and dragged her around the floor by her hair.
The trial also heard how he threatened to share naked photos and videos of her online if she didn’t withdraw her statement, and today he admitted a charge of perverting the course of justice through a phonecall to the woman a few months before his trial was due to begin.
*Reporting by Frank Greaney
