He ‘grabbed her by the back of her neck and slammed her head into a wall’, a court heard
A jealous bully angrily attacked his girlfriend after he “lost it completely” during a heavy drinking session and accused her of cheating on him behind his back. Liam Hylands grabbed the terrified woman by her neck and “slammed” her into a wall after demanding to check her phone for any incriminating evidence to back up his suspicions.
She shouted for help and a neighbour heard a loud thud from something apparently being thrown to the floor, Hull Crown Court heard. Hylands, 36, of east Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, on January 2. He pleaded guilty on the day of a scheduled trial.
Emma Handley, prosecuting, said that Hylands and the woman were at home and he had been drinking for some time when an argument began. He demanded to see her mobile phone but she refused.
He smashed a glass bottle in the kitchen and accused her of cheating on him. She told him to go to bed but he grabbed her by the back of her neck with one hand and slammed her into a wall, causing marks on her forehead and grip marks on her neck.
The woman told Hylands that she had not done anything wrong and she sat in a protective curled-up position. He pushed her neck forcibly and bit her on her neck. She shouted: “Help! help! Ring the police” and she tried to seek help from neighbours.
Hylands apologised but refused to leave. The woman’s neighbour heard her calls for help and a loud bang through the wall that sounded like something being thrown to the floor.
The woman told him: “You just bit me and you had me by the throat.” The police arrived and they could hear the sound of arguing through the door. They opened the front door to reveal Hylands close behind the woman.
During police interview, he denied assaulting or threatening to kill her. He had convictions for three previous offences between 2020 and October last year but none for violence.
Oliver Shipley, mitigating, said that it was regrettable behaviour but Hylands acted out of character and alcohol was a factor during the “turbulent” relationship. He had been in custody on remand for about seven months. “He recognises that he is at a crossroads as to his future,” said Mr Shipley.
“He has to accept that he was in the wrong here and is the only one at fault. He recognises the need to address alcohol.
“He has had a long period of reflection. It has been a significant wake-up call for him. He is not a hardened criminal. There was no weapon used.
“The offence does not appear to be particularly prolonged but it was persistent in its nature. The defendant is not a risk or danger to the public.”
Recorder Taryn Turner told Hylands: “You just lost it completely, no doubt fuelled by the alcohol that you had taken on board. It was a persistent assault. You grabbed her by the back of her neck and slammed that lady’s head into a wall.”
Hylands was given a 21-month suspended prison sentence, a 120-day alcohol monitoring order, a 26-day probation service programme and 10 days’ rehabilitation.