His coercive behaviour was intended to ‘maximise fear and distress’
A heavy-drinking bully made a woman’s life a “misery” after he repeatedly hurled abuse at her, made threats, assaulted her and caused damage during controlling behaviour intended to “maximise fear and distress”. She was left suffering “trauma” and “nightmares” because of his aggressive antics, including waving a knife at her and causing a wardrobe panel to fall onto her, Hull Crown Court heard.
Lewis Millson, 33, of Thurlstone Close, Bransholme, Hull, admitted using controlling and coercive behaviour towards the woman between October 1, 2023 and April 7 last year. He pleaded guilty on the day of a scheduled trial.
Holly Thompson, prosecuting, said that Millson and the woman had known each other for about 15 years and started a romantic relationship in early 2023. It was initially positive but, shortly after they moved in together, it became increasingly more worrying.
Millson controlled the woman by threats, causing damage to her property and being aggressive and abusive. He had a drink problem and, when they were out together, he became annoyed, aggressive and argumentative towards her.
During one in incident in October 2023, Millson damaged a light switch belonging to her during an aggressive outburst and punched a wardrobe panel, causing it to fall onto the woman. He fell onto his front and pretended to be unconscious.
The woman tried to leave the property but he would not let her. She did leave later. Millson ignored her concerns about his drinking and continued his aggressive outbursts.
During an incident in November 2023, Millson shouted and screamed at her before leaving the room and returning with a bread knife. He waved the knife close enough to her that it snagged her jumper.
He waved the knife in her face, laughing towards her, and put her in a headlock. “She felt as though she was going to die,” said Miss Thompson. “He forced the door open while she was behind it, trapping her shoulder, before taking her phone.” Millson dragged her to the spare room.
On another occasion, he punched a glass partition wall, causing it to shatter. There were blood splatters all around the property.
Millson’s alcohol problems continued and, during the incidents, he grabbed her arms and pulled her onto a bed, “ranting and raving” towards her and shouting torrents of abuse. “She attempted to leave the bedroom before he stood in her way and headbutted the wall,” said Miss Thompson.
“He punched the wall.” She ran downstairs but he followed and “flew at her” – trying to feel for the mobile phone in her pocket. He grabbed it and threw it at the wall. After being released from custody, with conditions not to contact her, he sent distressing messages to her.
During an argument in March last year, Millson grabbed hold of both the woman’s arms, squeezed them and hurled abuse. During another argument in April last year, he launched a tirade of abuse.
The woman later said that Millson’s behaviour had a “devastating and lasting impact” on her in every aspect of her life. She suffered depression, panic attacks and nightmares and she no longer felt safe in her own home so was forced to give it up.
Everyday tasks felt overwhelming and trauma was something that she carried every day. “The consequences of this crime are not short-term,” she said. “The harm has altered the course of my life permanently.”
David Godfrey, mitigating, said that Millson had not breached recent bail conditions. There were references for him and he had an exemplary work record, the court heard. He had a previous conviction in January 2013 for assaulting police.
Recorder Peter Makepeace KC told Millson: “Your conduct was intended to maximise fear and distress. Your conduct represents systematic action over a long period and you were using multiple methods of controlling her.
“You caused very serious alarm and distress, which has had a substantial adverse effect on your victim.” The woman suffered “misery” and Millson’s behaviour was exacerbated by alcohol.
Millson was given a 16-month suspended prison sentence, a 60-day alcohol abstinence monitoring order and 20 days’ rehabilitation. He was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and he was given a 10-year restraining order.