A controlling and bad-tempered bully left his girlfriend terrified and in fear of violence on many occasions during a long-running series of nasty confrontations.
The woman had been left suffering “traumatic memories” of the regular abuse and violence, including strangulation, that she endured during their toxic relationship, Hull Crown Court heard.
Kai Hobson, 22, of Barmouth Close, Bransholme, Hull, admitted offences of intentional strangulation, using controlling or coercive behaviour and causing criminal damage.
Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, prosecuting, said that the couple had been friends since 2018 and they began a relationship in 2023, which the woman described as initially really good. They had been in a relationship for a few months when, on August 18, 2023, they visited Leeds and had an evening out.
There was an incident between Hobson and another man, which led to the woman intervening. He later began shouting at her, called her a liar and said that the incident simply did not happen.
They returned to their hotel room and Hobson grabbed his girlfriend’s neck and strangled her, restricting her breathing and causing her to feel dizzy. He suddenly stopped, kissed her and told her that he loved her. He left but returned in the morning for the journey home.
Between August 18, 2023 and May 25 last year, there were a number of incidents of abuse and violence, including voice notes where he hurled insults. He threatened to burn her mother’s house down and threatened to damage his girlfriend’s vehicle.
During one incident, she asked him to leave her alone but he grabbed her and there was a short struggle. During another incident, they were in her car and he pushed her against a window. Another woman intervened and reported it to the police.
The police did a welfare check visit but the girlfriend did not make a complaint and the relationship continued. In another incident on May 4 last year, there was an argument while she was in bed and Hobson threw a Yankee Candle at her at her, hitting her on the head and causing a lump.
On May 13 last year, Hobson had ended the relationship but she drove in her car to his home to collect her belongings. “The defendant ran outside and shouted that she should not be there,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan. “In fear, she locked herself in the car.”
Hobson was enraged and kicked and he damaged wing mirrors, bumpers and the passenger door. He tried to get inside the car and shouted insults. “He continued his abuse and kicked the driver’s side door,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan.
Hobson stamped on the bonnet. A witness beeped his horn and Hobson walked away. He was arrested on May 27 last year and he denied ever being violent towards the woman or damaging the car and he accused her of being a manipulative liar.
The woman later said that she could not afford to pay for the car damage and she felt unable to use the vehicle because of traumatic memories. She sold the car and lost her independence.
She suffered panic attacks when there was an unexpected knock on the door. “She finds herself continually checking the door and window locks,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan. “This was persistent action over a prolonged period. She was in fear of violence on many occasions.”
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Hobson had no previous convictions but he had a caution from December 2021 for threatening to damage a vehicle belonging to his stepfather by setting fire to it.
Michael Masson, mitigating, said that Hobson had shown immaturity and he had suffered from problems. He had been assessed as a low risk of reconviction.
“A trial was ultimately avoided by the defendant entering guilty pleas,” said Mr Masson. “He has indicated a willingness to engage with the probation service and he maintains that position.”
Steven Garth, mitigating on an earlier occasion, said that Hobson had written a letter to say how sorry he was that these events had happened and how much he regretted the way in which he treated the woman. Hobson wanted to assure the court that there would not be a repeat. He had originally been on bail but he had been in custody on remand since February 3.
Judge Alexander Menary told Hobson: “The effect upon her has been profound. She is now fearful.”
Hobson, who appeared in court via a video link from prison, was jailed for two years. He was given a 10-year restraining order.