A violent stalking bully from Warrington put his on-off partner through a “living hell”, a court has heard.
Liam Stout’s behaviour included trying to punch her dog and smashing a precious vase belonging to her grandmother.
The incident happened when Stout was aggressive and abusive and brought his fist up to her face causing her to fear she was going to be assaulted.
Her dog moved between them and he went to punch it before she moved Stout away, leaving the dog cowering, Liverpool Crown Court was told.
She called the police and Stout went into the living room of her St Helens home and smashed three vases and a mirror.
“The total value was about £80 but one was from her grandmother and was of special sentimental value to her,” said David Polglase, prosecuting.
“In her statement to police about this incident she spoke of her fear of violence from him, his aggression, his jealousy and accusations of infidelity.”
He was arrested and when interviewed denied being violent and causing the damage and claimed she had been drunk and they had argued.
Stout, 32, of Toll Bar Road, Poplars and Hulme, Warrington, was bailed on condition not to contact his on-off partner or enter her street after the incident, which took place on December 1 last year.
Despite this a week later he rang her while drunk and was swearing and threatening to “smash up the house.” He contacted her about twice a week for three weeks using her mum’s phone.
Mr Polglase explained that her mum lives next door to Stout and his partner answered the phone thinking it was her mum who did not know he was calling her daughter.
“She described his volatility and anger, particularly when drinking, but said she’d been unaware of domestic violence between the couple.”
Mr Polglase said that the defendant would also post notes at the victim’s home, most of them begging to get back with her.
She described her fear, keeping her curtains shut, getting extra security systems, fear when walking the dog, and his previous violence in front of her son.
He called round at her home about 2.45 am on January 2 while she was watching TV and knocked on the door. She answered and he tried to step in but she managed to push him out.
“He threatened to smash her head in and was knocking and kicking the door. He shouted threats, some through the letter box and again threatened to smash her head in and said the house was marked.”
He called her offensive names and said he would tell police she had knocked out some teeth when in fact someone else was responsible. She called the police and he was arrested.
The court heard that he has no previous convictions but two reprimands for violence in 2009 and 2012.
Stout pleaded guilty to stalking, common assault and criminal damage.
Ben Berkson, defending, said that Stout has been in custody since January 3 and had consequently served the equivalent of a nine month sentence.
Sentencing him the judge, Recorder Richard Pratt, KC, said the couple had had an on-off relationship characterised by the defendant’s excessive use of alcohol.
“Although you did not use actual violence you repeatedly threatened her and led her to believe she was going to be assaulted. It was a time of great fear and she was absolutely terrified by the way you behaved.
“No one should be subjected to the sort of living hell which is what she was going through.”
The judge said that he took into consideration that he has no previous offences and has been in custody on remand after breaching his bail conditions.
He imposed an 18 month community order and ordered him to carry out 25 rehabilitation activity days and attend a ‘building better choices’ probation programme of 26 sessions.
Recorder Pratt also imposed a 60 day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement and a restraining order to keep away from his former partner.
