Benjamin Morgan threatened to kill her and said ‘I should have done it ages ago’
Benjamin Morgan was jailed at Hull Crown Court(Image: Humberside Police)
A violent and controlling bully repeatedly “humiliated and degraded” his terrified girlfriend and told her to “Google him” so that she could read about his horrific behaviour towards another woman. Benjamin Morgan threatened to kill her and told her: “I should have done it ages ago.”
He warned her that he had got a barrister and that she would “lose everything” if she took him to court. He accused her of being unfaithful and even urinated in her shoes, Hull Crown Court heard.
Morgan, 29, of Ryde Street, off Beverley Road, Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, on May 24 and intentional suffocation of her on the same day. He also admitted controlling and coercive behaviour between February 1 and May 24.
Harry Bradford, prosecuting, said that Morgan and the woman were in a relationship after meeting online. He accused her of being unfaithful to him and his mood became changeable and aggressive.
Throughout their relationship, he insisted that she use his mobile phone to speak to her family so that he knew who she was speaking to and when. This undermined her confidence and he used violence towards her, including slapping her in her face.
Morgan humiliated and degraded her by urinating in her shoes or pouring beer on her. He refused to let her leave the property, blocked doorways with his body and became aggressive if she tried to leave.
Morgan threatened to kill the woman and told her: “I should have done it ages ago.” He told her to Google him so that she could see news items about him.
On May 24, while at their home in Ryde Street, she tried to get away from him and ran upstairs but he followed her, put his foot in the doorway and pushed his way through, forcing it open again. He hit the woman in her face with the back of his hand, causing a bruise.
He elbowed her in the face, splitting her lip. He grabbed her, hit her against a wardrobe, spat at her and threw her to the ground. He picked up a knife and made threats.
He pushed her onto the bed and put his hand over her mouth, suffocating her. They later went to a pub but he refused to let her out of his sight.
Morgan told her: “I have got a barrister. You take me to court and I’ll make sure you lose everything.” The woman freed herself and spoke to the pub manager, who called the police.
“She waited and hid in the staff area until the police arrived,” said Mr Bradford. Morgan was later arrested. He had convictions for five previous offences, all domestic-related against another woman. He had been jailed for two years and three months in 2024. The previous offences included controlling and coercive behaviour, assault causing actual bodily harm and two of intentional suffocation.
Jane Rapin, mitigating, said that Morgan had an inability to cope with difficulties in the relationship. “He has a level of insight that we rarely see from defendants, particularly in cases of domestic violence,” said Miss Rapin.
“He expresses genuine remorse. He feels deeply ashamed of what he put this poor woman through. He simply can’t stop thinking about how sorry he is that she found herself in this relationship and he will regret that for the rest of his life.
“He deeply regrets that he finds himself in this position again. He is making plans for a positive future on his release.
“He has shown a good level of insight into how his alcohol use affects his offending. He has worked since the age of 16 as a groundsman. He wants to change everything about his life to make sure this court doesn’t see him again.”
Recorder Alistair MacDonald KC told Morgan: “You would subject her to violence throughout the course of the relationship. You were generally abusive, coercive and unpleasant to her.
“A custodial sentence is entirely merited in this case. No other form of sentence is appropriate.”
Morgan was jailed for three-and-half years and he was given a 10-year restraining order.
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