A “LONER” has been put behind bars for a string of assaults and ABH charges against his girlfriend.
William Otley, of Elmwood Grove, Uttoxeter, admitted three counts of assault by beating and one count of causing ABH.
He was described in court as “controlling” and “violent” and his girlfriend, Rebecca McLoughlin, was said to be so used to his violence that she ceased to fear it.
The crimes date back many months and all took place in domestic settings.
Alka Marsden, prosecuting the 20-year-old, said: “The injured party is the defendant’s partner.
“They met in September 2008. After about six months, she noticed a change in his behaviour.
“While the two were in the relationship, there was an incident involving a local girl. The defendant’s partner said they had an argument in relation to that. The defendant admitted that he had been sending texts to this girl. The relationship became more argumentative after this.
“There was one situation when they were arguing and he hit her in the face and pulled her by the hair. She was left crying and bleeding as a consequence.
The defendant admits that he hit her, pulled her hair and cut her lip.” The prosecutor continued: “The ABH charge relates to a punch to the injured party. The defendant fully accepts that he punched her and caused ABH.
“During another incident, he punched her again in the course of an argument. She says that she is no longer frightened by his violence because she is used to it. He had been very controlling.” He admitted the acts of violence when interviewed by police.
John Glandfield, defending, said: “The last of these offences occurred back in March. There have been no problems since then. This is not a young man who has a history of violence. He is not a risk to society. He has learned a very long, hard lesson.
“This was a volatile relationship. It seemed almost to thrive on rows and differences. There were far too frequent acts of violence. It is inexcusable.
He knows that in future he will have to keep his hands in his pockets.
“Mr Otley is something of a loner. He was bullied at school. His father and mother split up when he was very young. He lost his job a few days ago and he is now looking for work. He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and realised from the word go that he was in trouble.” Burton magistrates sentenced Otley to four months in a young offenders’ institute for the ABH charge, plus three months for each of the three assaults to be served concurrently.
Linda Cooper, chairman of the bench, said: “This took place in a domestic setting. There were repeated assaults on the same victim, who was vulnerable.”
