She was the third partner he had attacked
A bad-tempered bully with a long history of nasty domestic abuse and violence strangled his “terrified” girlfriend while he was “in a state of uncontrollable anger” fuelled by jealousy. Heavy-drinking drug user Matthew Mills later attacked the woman again – this time while she was pregnant – and he grabbed her and threw her into a fireplace during the second confrontation.
He angrily threatened to kick her in the stomach “to get rid of the baby” and it was the third partner that he had subjected to violence, Hull Crown Court heard. Mills, 41, of Norton Grove, west Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted offences of intentional strangulation between August 1 and 31 last year and assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, between November 1 and 30 last year.
Judge John Thackray KC said that Mills had been in a relationship with the woman but he became jealous and they got into an argument. He put his hand around her throat, restricting her breathing.
“She must have been terrified,” said Judge Thackray. “This was sustained strangulation. Harm is inevitable in a case like this. There will be harm going forward.
“She will never quite have the same level of trust because of the violence that you delivered upon her. You were in a state of uncontrollable anger.” Mills eventually released his grip. There was a later incident and the woman was, by this time, pregnant.
Mills became jealous and made “unfounded allegations” against the woman before grabbing her by her hair and throwing her into a fireplace. She suffered injuries.
“It could have been far worse,” said Judge Thackray. “As it was, she was left with a red mark. You then threatened to kick her in the stomach in order to get rid of the baby.”
Mills had previous convictions for domestic abuse or violence and it was the third partner that he had subjected to this. Such offences were not less serious because they were in a domestic setting but more serious.
“Your partner was entitled to feel safe and secure in your company,” said Judge Thackray. There was a high public interest in such cases.
Maya Hanson, mitigating, said that Mills had been in custody and he was doing everything he could to address his offending behaviour. He was receiving help for his drug and alcohol problems.
It was the third partner that Mills had committed domestic abuse against. “He is remorseful,” said Miss Hanson.
Mills was jailed for two years and eight months.