Somerton man found guilty of domestic abuse

Unable to cope with the end of his relationship, a Somerton man subjected his former partner to a barrage of abuse, threats and physical violence.

Duncan Finbar Crowley attacked the victim, threatened to cut off the head of the family pet cat and post it through her parents' letterbox and told her he would commit suicide in front of her.

The police were eventually informed of what was going on when Crowley punched and kicked his partner as she lay on the ground outside and her screams attracted the attention of a neighbour.

Crowley, aged 36, of Waverley, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting Sarah Billing by beating on November 6 and 14 and also admitted to pursuing a course of conduct amounting to the harassment of her in that he sent her numerous text messages of an offensive nature.

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Caylee Taylor, prosecuting, said the couple had been in a relationship for over seven years but Miss Billing had ended it in October and the defendant had moved out.

He began sending her a number of text messages of an apologetic nature but the tone of them changed and became more aggressive and demanding including threats to turn up at her place of work if she didn't speak to him.

"He said he would destroy any relationship she had until he died and when Miss Billing asked him to stop contacting her he threatened to cut the cat's head off and post it through her parents' letterbox," she said.

"He sent more messages saying he would kill himself in front of her and when she went round his address on November 6 to discuss their separation Crowley threw a clothes airer across the living room.

"He then grabbed her by the collar of her coat and pushed her onto the sofa causing her to hurt her finger and she managed to leave 20 minutes later."

Over the following days the defendant sent further text messages saying he would commit suicide and "do over" Miss Billing's father and on November14 Crowley asked her to his house again saying he wasn't angry any more.

Once inside he grabbed her by her coat collar again and blocked her exit. When she asked to leave he grabbed her by the pony tail and dragged her backwards before pushing her out of the door.

Miss Taylor said: "He followed her outside and she ran into the street shouting help but he grabbed her and pushed her to the floor.

"He then bent over her and hit her to each side of her head the kicked her twice in the back until a neighbour approached Miss Billing and called the police."

After being arrested Crowley was interviewed by police and apologised for what he had done saying he had not meant to hurt her.

Defending, Michaela Rose said Crowley was thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour and had shown a lot of remorse after being arrested.

She said: "he feels he wants to learn something from this incident which occurred after is relationship broke down and he struggled to cope.

"He accepts he behaved entirely inappropriately and all he wants to do is rebuild the relationship with his children as the relationship between him and Miss Billing is thoroughly over."

The magistrates sentenced Crowley to a two year community order with requirements for supervision and to carry out the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme with the probation service. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.